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

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Researchers have suggested that the negative items of the Self-Compassion Scale correlate more with psychopathology, leading to the conclusion that positive and negative items should be investigated separately because the negative items inflate the relationships observed.

“Specifically, researchers suggested that the negative items correlate more with psychopathology, which led them to the conclusion that positive and negative items should be investigated separately, as the negative items inflate the relationships observed (López et al., 2015).”

• cites López et al., 2015 sourcePartly supported

  Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that self-compassion interventions improve self-compassion and psychopathology, but not over and beyond other interventions.

“a recent systematic review and meta-analysis that highlighted selfcompassion interventions improving self-compassion and psychopathology, but not over and beyond other interventions (Wilson, Mackintosh, Power, & Chan, 2019)”

• cites Wilson, Mackintosh, Power, & Chan, 2019 sourceSupported

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There have been indications that reward for participation in psychological studies may negatively influence participants and their motivation to engage with the task at hand.

“There have been indications that reward for participation in psychological studies may negatively influence participants and motivation to engage with the task at hand (Jovanovic & Matejevic, 2014;Sharp, Pelletier, & Levesque, 2006).”

• cites Jovanovic & Matejevic, 2014 sourcePartly supported

  Section 2 reports a slight decrease in time spent on a task after a reward was given for participating in that task, and discusses possible reductions in intrinsic motivation. It does not establish that rewards for participating in psychological studies have this effect; that is a different condition from rewarding participation in the task itself. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Sharp, Pelletier, & Levesque, 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Previous research indicated that positive and negative items within the SCS represent separate concepts, because negative items have a stronger association with psychopathology.

“Previous research indicated that positive and negative items within the scale represent separate concepts, because negative items have a stronger association with psychopathology (e.g.López et al., 2018;Muris & Petrocchi, 2016).”

• cites López et al., 2018 sourceSupported
• cites Muris & Petrocchi, 2016 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The culture of the West teaches people to associate self-compassion with passivity or weakness and to confuse the concept with self-indulgence or self-pity, rather than a healthier perspective of oneself able to battle psychopathology.

“The culture of the West teaches people to associate self-compassion with passivity or weakness and to confuse the concept with self-indulgence or self-pity, rather than a healthier perspective of oneself that is able to battle psychopathology (Egan & Mantzios, 2018;Mantzios & Egan, 2017;Neff & Dahm, 2015).”

• cites Egan & Mantzios, 2018 sourcePartly supported

  The Discussion (page not provided) reports that participants associated self-kindness with self-indulgence, and the Introduction says self-kindness can alleviate psychological distress. The paper does not establish that Western culture teaches people to see self-compassion as weakness or passivity, nor does it address confusion with self-pity or a general ability to combat psychopathology. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Mantzios & Egan, 2017 sourcePartly supported

  The ‘Differentiating between self-compassion and self-kindness’ section (page unavailable) says people confuse self-compassion with self-kindness and describes indulgent acts that some people consider kind to themselves. It does not say Western culture teaches this confusion or associates self-compassion with passivity, weakness, or self-pity. The paper discusses alleviating psychological distress, but does not make the claimed point about battling psychopathology. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Neff & Dahm, 2015 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

In Study 2, the effects of the intervention on state mindfulness, state self-compassion, and state anxiety were non-significant.

“The analyses revealed that the effects of the intervention on state mindfulness, on state selfcompassion, and on state anxiety were non-significant.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In Study 2, state anxiety appeared to reach significance in the Self-Compassion Condition, while the Self-Criticism Condition marginally failed.

“although state anxiety appeared to reach significance in the Self-Compassion Condition, while the Self-Criticism Condition marginally failed.”

May combine two claims.

In Study 2, there were no significant differences between the intervention types and between genders at baseline measurements.

“There were no significant difference between the intervention types and between genders at baseline measurements.”

May combine two claims.

For isolation, Common Humanity and Self-Kindness, there were no differences between the Compassion and Criticism Conditions.

“Up to this point, there were no differences between the two conditions.”

May combine two claims.

Both interventions decreased state self-judgment, but the decrease was significant only for the self-compassion intervention, not for the self-criticism intervention.

“With self-judgment, both interventions decreased self-judgment, but the selfcompassionate intervention decreased self-judgment significantly, while the self-criticism intervention did not reach significance.”

May combine two claims.

The second hypothesis was confirmed, but not to the extent that was expected.

“The second hypothesis was also confirmed, but not to the extent that was expected.”

May combine two claims.

Both interventions were equally effective at increasing overall state self-compassion and state mindfulness and decreasing state anxiety scores.

“Both interventions were equally effective at increasing the overall state self-compassion and state mindfulness and decreasing state anxiety scores”

May combine two claims.

State mindfulness significantly increased in the self-compassion intervention while decreasing non-significantly in the self-criticism intervention.

“Mindfulness significantly increased in the self-compassion intervention, while decreasing in the self-criticism, non-significantly.”

May combine two claims.

The Self-Compassion Scale appears to be an appropriate measure as suggested by Neff (2003b), because the observed relationships between original positive, original negative, and altered subscales were as predicted.

“The SCS appears to be an appropriate measure as suggested by Neff (2003b), as the relationships appeared to be as predicted.”

• cites Neff (2003b)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The results support the inclusion of the negative items within the Self-Compassion Scale, because the altered positive items show a similar inflation to the original negative items when observing a significant positive relationship.

“If the main argumentation against the use of the overall score of the self-compassion scale is the inflation of the negative items, then the results support the inclusion of the negative items within the SCS, as the altered positive items show a similar inflation to the original negative items when observing a significant positive relationship.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Preliminary analysis in Study 2 showed no violation of assumptions (Levene's test of equality of error variances > .05 and Box's test of equality of covariance matrices > .001).

“Preliminary analysis showed no violation of assumptions (i.e., Levene's test of equality of error variances > .05 and Box's test of equality of covariance matrices > .001).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

In Study 1, the Cronbach's α for the original Self-Compassion Scale was .95.

“In the current study the Cronbach's α was .95.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In Study 2, the State Anxiety Inventory - Short Form had a Cronbach's α of .87 prior to intervention and .88 after intervention.

“The scale was administered both prior to (Cronbach's α = .87)and after intervention (Cronbach's α = .88)to measure the changes in anxiety of participants.”

May combine two claims.

The self-compassion and self-criticism interventions do not differ in the way they influence state self-compassion, state mindfulness and state anxiety, although state anxiety appeared to reach significance in the Self-Compassion Condition while the Self-Criticism Condition marginally failed.

“Therefore, the self-compassion and self-criticism interventions do not differ in the way they influence state self-compassion, state mindfulness and state anxiety, although state anxiety appeared to reach significance in the Self-Compassion Condition, while the Self-Criticism Condition marginally failed.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The literature emphasizing self-criticism does not translate into inflation as suggested, and does not propose effective practices.

“While the debate around the self-compassion scale continues, the literature emphasizing self-criticism does not translate into inflation as suggested, and does not propose effective practices.”

May combine two claims.

Tóth-Király et al. (2017) examined the factor structure in a large international investigation of 20 samples (N = 11,685), where each sample provided support for the use of the original six subscales and the total SCS score, but not the two-factor model.

“Tóth-Király et al. (2017) examined the factor structure in a large international investigation of 20 samples (N = 11,685), where each sample provided support for the use of the original six subscales and the total SCS score, but not the two-factor model.”

• cites Tóth-Király et al., 2017Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Suppression leads to more thoughts and more distress, while acceptance of thoughts leads to fewer thoughts, as well as lower levels of depression and anxiety.

“research has indicated that suppression leads to more thoughts and more distress, while acceptance of thoughts leads to fewer thoughts, as well as lower levels of depression and anxiety (Marcks & Woods, 2005).”

• cites Marcks & Woods, 2005 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In Study 2, gender differences were explored, and data were reanalysed by excluding males, and similar comparisons were performed with (un)familiarity of self-compassion and experiences in meditation, all of which indicated the same pattern or non-significant differences.

“Gender differences were explored, and data were reanalysed by excluding males, and similar comparisons were performed with (un)familiarity of self-compassion and experiences in meditation, all of which indicated the same pattern or non-significant differences.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

In Study 1, the Cronbach's α for the altered self-compassion negative sub-scales was .84.

“In the current study the Cronbach's α was .84.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Ethical approval for Study 1 was provided by the university's Psychology Department Ethics Committee.

“Ethical approval for this study was provided by the university's Psychology Department Ethics Committee.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In Study 2, the State Mindfulness Scale had a Cronbach's α of .95 prior to intervention and .95 after intervention.

“This scale was used to measure participants' awareness of present experiences prior to (Cronbach's α = .95)and after intervention (Cronbach's α = .95).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In Study 2, every second participant was allocated to the self-criticism condition, and each condition consisted of 40 participants.

“Every second participant was allocated to the self-criticism condition, and each condition consisted of 40 participants.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Ethical approval for Study 2 was provided by the university's Psychology Department Ethics Committee.

“Ethical approval for this study was provided by the university's Psychology Department Ethics Committee.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In Study 2, the state self-compassion scale had a Cronbach's α of .88 prior to intervention and .83 after intervention.

“This scale was used to measure state self-compassion of participants prior to (Cronbach's α = .88)and after intervention (Cronbach's α = .83).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Preliminary analysis in Study 1 showed that all assumptions were met to conduct a bivariate correlation.

“Preliminary analysis showed that all assumptions were met to conduct a bivariate correlation.”

May combine two claims.

The Self-Compassion Scale appears to represent a valid construct, although replication of the present findings is warranted.

“For now, it appears as if the self-compassion scale represents a valid construct, although replication of the present findings is warranted.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

In Study 1, the Cronbach's α for the combined scale was .95.

“In the current study the Cronbach's α was .95 for the combined scale.”

May combine two claims.

The inclusion of the negative components of the Self-Compassion Scale for the reduction of response bias appears appropriate, given the significant positive relationship between altered and original negative items and the significant negative relationships between original positive items and both original negative and altered items.

“Specifically, the inclusion of the negative components for the reduction of response bias appears appropriate, as there is a significant positive relationship between A items and O-items, and the O+ items significantly relate negatively to both O-and A, a relationship that appears marginally the same.”

May combine two claims.

Without follow-up investigations, the conclusion that can be drawn from Study 2 is only that the positive item intervention brings about positive changes to both positive and negative factors, but not over and beyond what would be expected.

“Without any follow-up investigations, the conclusion that can be drawn from Study 2 may only be that the positive item intervention brings about positive changes to both positive and negative factors, but not over and beyond what would be expected.”

May combine two claims.

Negative and positive components of the SCS, while opposites that relate differently to other constructs, are interrelated parts of an overall concept of self-compassion.

“Study 1 supports the understanding that while negative and positive components might be opposites and relate differently to other constructs, they are interrelated parts of an overall concept of self-compassion.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The altered subscale, formed by rephrasing the positive SCS items as their exact polar opposites, validly represents the content of the original negative SCS items.

May combine two claims.

All participants were psychology undergraduates, and over 80% reported being familiar with the concept of self-compassion.

“However, all of the participants were psychology undergraduates, and over 80% of the participants reported being familiar with the concept of self-compassion.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

From an ethical viewpoint, the use of decreasing self-criticism for prolonged periods and interventions may be problematic.

“although from an ethical viewpoint the use of decreasing self-criticism for prolonged periods and interventions may be problematic, and was therefore explored in this short format.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted).

People from Western civilisation relate more easily to the negative components of self-compassion than to the positive ones.

“For example, researchers have claimed that people from Western civilisation relate more easily to the negative components of self-compassion than the positive ones (Neff & Dahm, 2015).”

• cites Neff & Dahm, 2015 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The stronger association of negative SCS items with psychopathology could be explained by factors other than negative components being more predictive of psychopathology.

“However, this could be explained by factors other than negative components being more predictive of psychopathology.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Self-compassion has been conceptualised as more than simply a lack of self-criticism.

“Self-compassion has been conceptualised as more than simply a lack of self-criticism (Warren, Smeets, & Neff, 2016)”

• cites Warren, Smeets, & Neff, 2016Not checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

Cultural and clinical factors could contribute to the stronger link between negative SCS items and psychopathology.

“This could contribute to the stronger link between negative items and psychopathology.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Mindfulness is the primary construct of initiating compassion for self and others, as it assists in identifying when there is suffering and the need to enable the appropriate compassionate response.

“Considering mindfulness to be the primary construct of initiating compassion for self and others, as it assists identifying when there is suffering, and the need to enable the appropriate compassionate response”

May combine two claims.

People struggling with mental health, such as those showing symptoms of depression, find the concept of self-compassion difficult to practise and components of self-compassion difficult to experience.

“In addition, people struggling with mental health, such as those who show symptoms of depression, find the concept of self-compassion difficult to practise and components of self-compassion difficult to experience (Pauley & McPherson, 2010).”

• cites Pauley & McPherson, 2010Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Both studies relied on a university Research Participation Scheme, which rewards participants with credits, to recruit participants.

“Both studies relied on a Research Participation Scheme within the university to recruit participants, which is based on rewarding participants with credits.”