The Process of Science: A Critical Evaluation of more than 15 Years of Research on Self-Compassion with the Self-Compassion Scale

Muris, Peter; Otgaar, Henry

doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01363-0

Cited by 162Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsPsychometric Methodologies and TestingPsychology Research and Bibliometrics

The Process of Science: A Critical Evaluation of more than 15 Years of Research on Self-Compassion with the Self-Compassion Scale

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Muris, Peter, Otgaar, Henry·2020·Mindfulness

DOI 10.1007/s12671-020-01363-0

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Abstract

Objectives: Falsification is regarded as a cornerstone of science. Anomalous data—even when highly credible—do not always lead to an adjustment of theory. In this paper, we discuss reasons for why current theories are not modified despite a corpus of work falsifying (parts of) the theory, using the case of self-compassion as an example. During more than 15 years, this psychological construct has been heralded as a protective factor against stress and emotional adversity. Methods: A search in the Web of Science database using [SELF-COMPASSION in title] as the search term was conducted and found empirical papers were critically evaluated. Results: Good evidence abounds indicating that the theoretical definition of self-compassion is limited and that as a consequence its proper assessment with the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) is obscured as the measure is contaminated by psychopathological characteristics. Surprisingly, few researchers take these critical notes into account when conducting and reporting new studies on this topic. We argue that this might be due to all kinds of (conscious and unconscious) tendencies and cognitive biases of researchers and clinicians. Conclusion: Research lines are not always guided by solid data but strongly determined by social factors. We close by providing a recommendation for researchers regarding the assessment of self-compassion including the continued use of the SCS.

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The SCS is criticized and the generalizability of Neff's structure is questioned.
“skala ta jest jednak krytykowana, amożliwość generalizacji uzyskanej przez Neff struktury podawana jest wwątpliwość [25-27].”
From The Polish adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (2024) · cites this paper as [27]

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Muris, P., Otgaar, H., Meesters, C. M. G., Heutz, A., & van den Hombergh, M. (2019) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-019-01353-4 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Self-citation
Neuropsychology in the Courtroom: Expert Analysis of Reports and Testimony
Howe, L. L. S. (2008) · Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology · doi:10.1016/j.acn.2008.06.007 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Examining the Role of Repetitive Negative Thinking in Relations Between Positive and Negative Aspects of Self-compassion and Symptom Improvement During Intensive Treatment
Wadsworth, L. P., Forgeard, M., Hsu, K. J., Kertz, S., Treadway, M., & Björgvinsson, T. (2018) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-017-9887-0 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Self-Esteem Maintenance Processes: Why Low Self-Esteem may be Resistant to Change
Josephs, R. A., Bosson, J. K., & Jacobs, C. G. (2003) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167203029007010 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Commentary Regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems
Kirby, J. N., & Gilbert, P. (2019) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Misdiagnosis of cognitive impairment in forensic neuropsychology.
Iverson, G. L., Brooks, B. L., & Holdnack, J. A. (2008) · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Self-Compassion Scale: IRT Psychometric Analysis, Validation, and Factor Structure – Slovak Translation
Halamová, J., Kanovský, M., & Pacúchová, M. (2018) · Psychologica Belgica · doi:10.5334/pb.398 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
The Psychology of Scientific Inquiry
Toomela, A. (2019) · SpringerBriefs in psychology · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-31449-1 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Psychometric properties of the Slovenian long and short version of the self-compassion scale
Uršič, N., Kocjančič, D., & Žvelc, G. (2018) · Psihologija · doi:10.2298/psi180408029u · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) in an African American clinical sample
Zhang, H., Dong, L., Watson-Singleton, N. N., Tarantino, N., Carr, E. R., Niles-Carnes, L. V., Patterson, B., & Kaslow, N. J. (2019) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-019-01099-6 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Science–Practice Gap
Lilienfeld, S. O., Ritschel, L. A., Lynn, S. J., Cautin, R. L., & Latzman, R. D. (2015) · The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/9781118625392.wbecp566 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
The Compassionate Brain
Klimecki, O., & Singer, T. (2017) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190464684.013.9 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Common sense or cognitive bias and groupthink: does it belong in our clinical reasoning?
Mailoo, V. (2015) · British Journal of General Practice · doi:10.3399/bjgp15x683173 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Farewell to the Hyperventilation Syndrome
Hornsveld, H. K. (1996) · UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) · Cited by 4 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

Corsius, N. (2018). Further exploration of the face validity of the Self-Compassion Scale (unpublished master's thesis). Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Sorted by citations

Self-compassion: Theory, method, research, and intervention
Neff, K. D. (2023) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-032420-031047 · Cited by 931 · see citing works
Compassion: From Its Evolution to a Psychotherapy
Gilbert, P. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.586161 · Cited by 365 · see citing works
“Identifying core processes can help us to share conceptualizations but the exact phenomenon included in a cluster or factor can vary, sometimes quite considerably and in the clinical sciences be unreliable ways of identifying specific syndromes [see for example the controversies on one approach to self-compassion (Mur…”
Background
A review of self-compassion as an active ingredient in the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression in young people
Egan, S. J., Rees, C. S., Delalande, J., Greene, D., Fitzallen, G., Brown, S., Webb, M., & Finlay-Jones, A. (2022) · Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research · doi:10.1007/s10488-021-01170-2 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion: A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis on Their Links to Psychological Problems and Well-Being
Muris, P., & Otgaar, H. (2023) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s402455 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Self-citation
Association of Self-Compassion With Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Non-suicidal Self Injury: A Meta-Analysis
Suh, H., & Jeong, J. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633482 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Self‐compassion in organizations: A review and future research agenda
Dodson, S. J., & Heng, Y. T. (2021) · Journal of Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1002/job.2556 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Commentary on Muris and Otgaar (2020): Let the Empirical Evidence Speak on the Self-Compassion Scale
Neff, K. D. (2020) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01411-9 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
From Self-Esteem to Selflessness: An Evidence (Gap) Map of Self-Related Processes as Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Britton, W. B., Desbordes, G., Acabchuk, R. L., Peters, S., Lindahl, J. R., Canby, N. K., Vago, D. R., Dumais, T., Lipsky, J., Kimmel, H. J., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730972 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
The Differential Effects Fallacy in the Study of Self-compassion: Misunderstanding the Nature of Bipolar Continuums
Neff, K. D. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01832-8 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Self-Valuation Challenges in the Culture and Practice of Medicine and Physician Well-being
Trockel, M., Sinsky, C. A., West, C. P., Dyrbye, L. N., Tutty, M., Carlasare, L. E., Wang, H., & Shanafelt, T. D. (2021) · Mayo Clinic Proceedings · doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.12.032 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Self-Compassion and Mental Health in Sexual and Gender Minority People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Carvalho, S. A., & Guiomar, R. (2022) · LGBT Health · doi:10.1089/lgbt.2021.0434 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Embracing the Complexity of our Inner Worlds: Understanding the Dynamics of Self-Compassion and Self-Criticism
Ferrari, M., Ciarrochi, J., Yap, K., Sahdra, B. K., & Hayes, S. C. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01897-5 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Mindfulness, Self-compassion, Self-injury, and Suicidal thoughts and Behaviors: a Correlational Meta-analysis
Per, M., Schmelefske, E., Brophy, K., Austin, S. B., & Khoury, B. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01815-1 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Be Kind to Yourself: the Implications of Momentary Self-Compassion for Affective Dynamics and Well-Being in Daily Life
Mey, L. K., Wenzel, M., Morello, K., Rowland, Z., Kubiak, T., & Tüscher, O. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-02050-y · Cited by 42 · see citing works
The (non)Protective Role of Self-Compassion in Internalizing Symptoms: Two Empirical Studies in Adolescents Demonstrating Unwanted Effects of Using the Self-Compassion Scale Total Score
Muris, P., Otgaar, H., López, A., Kurtic, I., & van de Laar, I. (2020) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01514-3 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Self-citation
Compassion for Oneself and Others Protects the Mental Health of First Responders
McDonald, M. A., Meckes, S. J., & Lancaster, C. L. (2020) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01527-y · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Self-compassion In Hospice and Palliative Care
Garcia, A. C. M., Silva, B. D., da Silva, L. C. O., & Mills, J. (2021) · Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing · doi:10.1097/njh.0000000000000727 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
The Correlation Between Self-compassion and Depression Revisited: a Three-Level Meta-analysis
Lou, X., Wang, H., & Minkov, M. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01958-9 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Individualized Virtual Reality for Increasing Self-Compassion: Evaluation Study
Halim, I., Stemmet, L., Hach, S., Porter, R., Liang, H., Vaezipour, A., Henry, J. D., & Baghaei, N. (2023) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/47617 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Validation of the Chinese Version of Self-Compassion Scale for Youth (SCS-Y)
Huang, L., Chen, Z., Jiang, W., Qu, D., Wang, Y., Fang, X., Han, H., Huang, C., Li, Z., & Chi, X. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-02024-0 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Examining the Relationship Between Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Emotion Regulation in Self-Injury
Per, M., Simundic, A., Argento, A., Khoury, B., & Heath, N. L. (2021) · Archives of Suicide Research · doi:10.1080/13811118.2021.1885534 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Clarifying the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Mindfulness: an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
Biehler, K. M., & Naragon‐Gainey, K. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01865-z · Cited by 33 · see citing works
On the Edge of Psychopathology: Strong Relations Between Reversed Self-compassion and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Young People
Muris, P., Fernández‐Martínez, I., & Otgaar, H. (2024) · Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10567-024-00471-w · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Self-citation
A Systematic Review on Mediation Studies of Self-Compassion and Physical Health Outcomes in Non-Clinical Adult Populations
Cha, J. E., Boggiss, A. L., Serlachius, A. S., Cavadino, A., Kirby, J. N., & Consedine, N. S. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01935-2 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
A Systematic Review of Self-Compassion in Chronic Pain: From Correlation to Efficacy
Lanzaro, C., Carvalho, S. A., Lapa, T. A., Valentim, A., & Gago, B. (2021) · The Spanish Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1017/sjp.2021.22 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Impact of Mindfulness Training on Spanish Police Officers’ Mental and Emotional Health: a Non-Randomized Pilot Study
Navarrete, J., García-Salvador, M. Á., Cebolla, A., & Baños, R. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01827-5 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“…recent recommendations about the interpretation and scoring of the scale, separate scores for the Positive (Self-Kindness, Common Humanity, and Mindfulness) and Negative (Self-Judgement, Isolation, and Over-identified) subscales (López et al., 2015; Muris & Otgaar, 2020) were also calculated.”
Background
Profiles of self‐compassion and psychological outcomes in cancer patients
Wei, L., Xie, J., Wu, L., Yao, J., Zhu, L., & Liu, A. (2022) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.5931 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Self-compassion explains substantially more variance in eating disorder psychopathology and associated impairment than mindfulness
Messer, M., Anderson, C., & Linardon, J. (2020) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.10.002 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Self-Compassion Around the World: Measurement Invariance of the Short Form of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF) Across 65 Nations, 40 Languages, Gender Identities, and Age Groups
Swami, V., Tran, U. S., Voracek, M., Aavik, T., Ranjbar, H. A., Adebayo, S. O., Afhami, R., Ahmed, O., Aimé, A., Akel, M., et al. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-025-02560-5 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Validity and reliability of the Polish version of the Self-Compassion Scale and its correlates
Kocur, D. J., Flakus, M., & Fopka-Kowalczyk, M. J. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0267637 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
What Do (and Don’t) We Know About Self-Compassion? Trends and Issues in Theory, Mechanisms, and Outcomes
Jane, E., Serlachius, A. S., Kirby, J. N., & Consedine, N. S. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02222-4 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Self-compassion in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain: A pilot study
Carvalho, S. A., Gillanders, D., Forte, T., Trindade, I. A., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Lapa, T., Valentim, A., Santos, E., Paciência, J., Guiomar, R., et al. (2022) · Scandinavian Journal of Pain · doi:10.1515/sjpain-2021-0214 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
The Self‐Compassion Scale–Short Form: Psychometric evaluation in one non‐clinical and two clinical Swedish samples
Alfonsson, S., Winai, E., Collin, E., Isaksson, M., & Wolf‐Arehult, M. (2023) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2830 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Self-Compassion and Compassion for Others: A Multiple Mediation Study of Personal Values
Jane, E., Serlachius, A. S., Cavadino, A., Kirby, J. N., & Consedine, N. S. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02202-8 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Developing Self-Compassion Online: Assessing the Efficacy and Feasibility of a Brief Online Intervention
Northover, C., Deacon, J., King, J. A., & Irons, C. (2021) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2104056 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Compassion, Self-compassion, and Skill in Means: a Mahāyāna Perspective
Dunne, J. D., & Manheim, J. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01864-0 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Self-compassion in individuals with substance use disorder: the association with personal growth and well-being
Shreffler, J. R., Thomas, J. J., McGee, S., Ferguson, B., Kelley, J. W., Cales, R., Cales, S. C., & Huecker, M. R. (2021) · Journal of Addictive Diseases · doi:10.1080/10550887.2021.2005382 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Self-Compassion as a Moderator in the Relationships of Excellencism and Perfectionism with Indicators of Mental Health
With, S., Benoît, A., & Gaudreau, P. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02388-5 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
The Polish adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form
Holas, P., Szewczuk, J., Rusanowska, M., Krejtz, I., Jankowski, T., & Nezlek, J. (2024) · Psychiatria Polska · doi:10.12740/pp/172115 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Choć liczne badania walidacyjne zarówno na próbach klinicznych, jak i nieklinicznych potwierdziły rzetelność tego narzędzia [2], skala ta jest jednak krytykowana, a możliwość generalizacji uzyskanej przez Neff struktury podawana jest w wątpliwość [25–27].”
How Self-Compassion Moderates the Links Between Fitspiration Use and Body Concerns in Young Women
Seekis, V., Bradley, G. L., & Duffy, A. L. (2021) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01656-y · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-Compassion Correlates of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Youth: A Comparison of Two Self-Compassion Measures
Muris, P., Bongers, K., Schenning, C., Meesters, C. M. G., & Otgaar, H. (2022) · Children · doi:10.3390/children9121930 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citation
Assessing self-criticism and self-reassurance: Examining psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of the Short-Form of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS-SF) in Spanish sample
Navarrete, J., Herrero, R., Soler, J., Domínguez-Clavé, E., Baños, R., & Cebolla, A. (2021) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252089 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“We also calculated separate scores for the Positive (Self-Kindness, Common Humanity, and Mindfulness) and Negative (Self-Judgement, Isolation, and Over-identified) subscales following recent recommendations about the interpretation and scoring of the scale [57,58].”
Method
Self‐compassion and fear of cancer recurrence in Chinese breast cancer patients: The mediating role of maladaptive cognitive styles
Zhu, L., Wei, L., Xiaomin, Y., Zhao, J., Yu, Y., Sun, S., Wang, X., Yao, J., & Xie, J. (2022) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.6070 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-Compassion and Anxiety in Adolescents with and without Anxiety Disorder
Tali, E., Potharst, E. S., de Bruin, E. I., & Utens, E. M. W. J. (2023) · Children · doi:10.3390/children10071181 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Daily micropractice can augment single-session interventions: A randomized controlled trial of self-compassionate touch and examining their associations with habit formation in US college students
Susman, E. S., Chen, S., Kring, A. M., & Harvey, A. G. (2024) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2024.104498 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Associations of self-compassion with shame, guilt, and training motivation after sport-specific daily stress – a smartphone study
Röthlin, P., Horvath, S., Messerli, T., Krieger, T., Berger, T., & Birrer, D. (2022) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2021.2025134 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-Compassion as a Moderator between Clinical Perfectionism and Psychological Distress
Adams, V., Howell, J., & Egan, S. J. (2023) · Australian Psychologist · doi:10.1080/00050067.2022.2125281 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
When ‘negativity’ becomes obstructive: a novel exploration of the two-factor model of the Self-Compassion Scale and a comparison of self-compassion and self-criticism interventions
Mantzios, M., Koneva, A., & Egan, H. (2020) · Current Issues in Personality Psychology · doi:10.5114/cipp.2020.100791 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy: Clinical Integration, Evidence Base, and Mechanisms of Change
Germer, C. K. (2023) · Mindfulness in behavioral health · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-22348-8_22 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Further Validation of a Dutch Translation of the Sussex Oxford Compassion for the Self Scale in Samples of Crisis Line Volunteers, Military Personnel and Nursing Students
de Krijger, E., Willems, R., ten Klooster, P., Bakker, E., Miedema, H., Drossaert, C., & Bohlmeijer, E. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.895850 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Supportive evidence for the State Self-Compassion Scale using Japanese samples.
Chishima, Y., Sugawara, D., & Mizuno, M. (2022) · Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1037/pas0001144 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Children’s and Adolescents’ Pet Attachment, Empathy, and Compassionate Responding to Self and Others
Bosacki, S., Tardif-Williams, C. Y., & Roma, R. P. S. (2022) · Adolescents · doi:10.3390/adolescents2040039 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The role of insight, social rank, mindfulness and self‐compassion in depression following first episode psychosis
Hardman, J. R., Gleeson, J., González‐Blanch, C., Álvarez‐Jiménez, M., Fraser, M. I., & Yap, K. (2023) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2881 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
On the importance of being clear about the level of analysis of interest: An illustration using the case of self‐compassion
Büchner, A., Ewert, C., Hoffmann, C. F. A., Schröder–Abé, M., & Horstmann, K. T. (2024) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12924 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
From childhood emotional abuse to adolescent loneliness: The roles of self-compassion and rejection sensitivity
Qu, Y. (2024) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107020 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Self-compassion as a protective factor against adverse consequences of social media use: A scoping review
Manjanatha, D., Pippard, N. S., & Bloss, C. S. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0322227 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self‐compassion predicting pain, depression and anger in people suffering from chronic pain: A prospective study
Emmerich, A. C., Friehs, T., Crombez, G., & Glombiewski, J. A. (2020) · European Journal of Pain · doi:10.1002/ejp.1638 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Wellbeing in Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in the Relationship between Personal Resources and Exhaustion
Grandi, A., Zito, M., Sist, L., Martoni, M., Russo, V., & Colombo, L. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19031714 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Investigating the effects and efficacy of self-compassion intervention on generalized anxiety disorders
Luo, X., Shen, Y., Sun, L., Qi, X., Hong, J., Wang, Y., Che, X., & Lei, Y. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.117 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Validation of the compassionate engagement and action scales, compassion scale, and Sussex-Oxford compassion scales in a French-Canadian sample
Brophy, K., Emery, M., MacDonald, C., Côté, C. I., & Körner, A. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0305776 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“…support the theoretical and statistical arguments that the SCS may be measuring two distinct processes [44], and some state that it is beneficial to study compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding separately to better understand compassion as a protective factor in psychopathology [45,46].”
Background
Self-Compassion in Chinese Young Adults: Its Measurement and Measurement Construct
Zhao, M., Ford, T. J., Smithson, J., Wang, P., & Karl, A. (2022) · Assessment · doi:10.1177/10731911221137540 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Enhancing the Precision of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) with Rasch Methodology
Adu, P., Popoola, T., Bartholomew, E. J., Iqbal, N., Roemer, A., Jurcik, T., Collings, S. C., Aspin, C., Medvedev, O. N., & Simpson, C. R. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02462-y · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-compassion in chronic pain: Validating the self-compassion scale short-form and exploring initial relationships with pain outcomes
Gillett, J. L., Rakhimov, A., Karadag, P., Themelis, K., Ji, C., & Tang, N. K. Y. (2025) · British Journal of Pain · doi:10.1177/20494637241312070 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
The relationship between emotion regulation and mental health in adolescents: Self-compassion as a moderator
Nguyen, A., Grummitt, L. R., Barrett, E. L., Bailey, S., Gardner, L. A., Champion, K. E., Halladay, J. E., Maratos, F. A., Hunter, E., Rowlinson, K., et al. (2025) · Mental Health & Prevention · doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2025.200430 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-compassion, social cognition, and self-affect in adolescence: A longitudinal study
Talwar, V., Castellanos, M., & Bosacki, S. (2022) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298868.2022.2030400 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Effects of Quality Practice on a Compassion Cultivation Training: Somatic and Imagery Levels of Analysis
Andreu, C. I., Navarrete, J., Roca, P., Baños, R., & Cebolla, A. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-02013-3 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
The Role of Self-Compassion and Attributions in the Mental Health of Older Adolescents amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Maricic, J., Bjelic, S., & Jelić, K. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20216981 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Role of self-criticism in postpartum mental health: a network analysis
Gerhardt, B. C., Serra, J. G., Zimmer, C., & Arteche, A. X. (2024) · Psicologia Reflexão e Crítica · doi:10.1186/s41155-024-00321-2 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Avatar Customization and Embodiment in Virtual Reality Self-Compassion Therapy for Depressive Symptoms: Three-Part Mixed Methods Study
Elliott, T. C., Yang, Y., Knibbe, J., Henry, J. D., & Baghaei, N. (2025) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/71004 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Perceived Parenting Style and Adolescent Self-Compassion: A Longitudinal, Within-Person Approach
Kaufmann, S., Ciarrochi, J., Yap, K., & Fraser, M. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02232-2 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
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Authors: Muris, P., & Otgaar, H.
Affiliations: Stellenbosch University (ZA)
Maastricht University (NL)
Corresponding author: Muris, Peter
ORCID: Muris, Peter
Otgaar, Henry
Venue: Mindfulness
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2020-04-07
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Pages: 1469-1482
ISSN: 1868-8527 (ISSN-L)
1868-8535
DOI: 10.1007/s12671-020-01363-0
OpenAlex: W3015412611
Cited by: 162
References: 112
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 9
FWCI: 8.04
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (tdm)
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (vor)
Locations: Mindfulness (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Lirias (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (submittedVersion)
Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders: Maastricht University
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Psychology Research and Bibliometrics
Keywords: self-compassion, Self-Compassion Scale, falsification, theory revision, measurement contamination, psychopathology, construct definition

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The Process of Science: A Critical Evaluation of more than 15 Years of Research on Self-Compassion with the Self-Compassion Scale

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