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.
August 2025 SAGE Publications Ltd

British Journal of Pain
2025 #19 Issue 4 239 - 256 pp.

Objectives: Validate the English version of the Self-Compassion Scale Short-Form (SCS-SF) as a reliable measure in chronic pain. Explore self-compassion’s relationship with pain-related outcomes.Methods: A total of 240 chronic pain patients (at 6-months) and 256 community participants (at 12-months) completed two prospective survey studies. SCS-SF psychometric properties were evaluated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA), exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM), test–retest reliability (Pearson’s r) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) in both samples. Convergent validity/clinical relevance was assessed in the chronic pain sample via univariate linear regressions between self-compassion and pain intensity, interference, catastrophizing, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression. Results: The SCS-SF showed acceptable internal consistency in both samples (α > 0.70, range = 0.74–0.79), high test–retest reliability over 6-months in the pain sample (r = 0.81, p < .001) and sub-threshold over 12-months in the community (r = 0.59 p < .001). EFA revealed a two-factor model distinguishing compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding in both samples. CFA identified a one-factor and two-factor model in both samples, but it did not meet statistical thresholds. ESEM identified the best fit for the chronic pain group was for a two-factor model (RMSEA and SRMR < 0.08; CFI and TLI > 0.90), whereas no models met acceptable fit criteria in the community group. A two-bifactor Bayesian model had suitable fit in both groups. In the chronic pain sample, SCS-SF and compassionate self-responding negatively predicted pain intensity, interference, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing and positively predicted self-efficacy over 6-months. Uncompassionate self-responding positively predicted anxiety, depression, catastrophizing and negatively predicted self-efficacy but did not predict pain outcomes. Discussion: The SCS-SF is a reliable and valid measure in chronic pain. Total and sub-factor scores appear to have distinct relationships with pain outcomes. Future research should consider self-compassion as a unitary and/or bifactorial (consisting of compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding) construct in chronic pain when measured using the SCS-SF.

Chronic pain , exploratory structural equation modelling , factor analyses , psychometrics , self-compassion

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Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
International School of Economics, M. Narikbayev KAZGUU University, Astana, Kazakhstan
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Narxoz University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom

Department of Psychology
International School of Economics
School of Arts and Social Sciences
Clinical Trials Unit

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