Psychometric Properties of the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form: Study of Its Role as a Protector of Spanish Nurses Professional Quality of Life and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Self-compassion is a multifaceted construct that represents compassion turned inward and involves approaching one's failure and inadequacy with kindness. To measure these self-compassionate behaviors, the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) is one of the most widely used and has been recurrently employed in the healthcare arena. Specifically, self-compassion has been pointed out as essential for providing compassionate care and maintaining healthcare workers balance. Aim: The aim of this study is twofold: (1) to provide evidence of the psychometric properties of the SCS-SF in a sample of Spanish nurses and (2) to study of its role as a protector of Spanish nurses professional quality of life and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A sample of 115 Spanish nurses was studied. Mean age was 43.79 years old (SD = 10.99); 84.3% were women. The factorial structure of the SCS-SF was studied with competitive confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Finally, a full structural equation model was tested, in which positive and negative self-compassion predicted professional quality of life, and professional quality of life, in turn, predicted well-being. Results: Three a priori structures were compared: one-factor, two-factor, and six-factor model. The two-factor solution, positive and negative self-compassion, was retained as the best structure to represent the data. Regarding the predictive model, the two poles of self-compassion predicted professional quality of life prediction, and professional quality of life positively predicted well-being, showing a strong relationship. Conclusion: Self-compassion can be an important resource for nurses' balance, promoting adequate professional quality of life and their well-being.