Validation of the French version of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale

Abstract

Background: Self-criticism and self-reassurance are internal processes of self-to-self relating that have received increasing attention in psychology. The Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), which was first studied by Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles, and Irons, is a self-report instrument that has been used in various populations and has shown satisfactory reliability. The goal of this work is to explore the psychometric properties of a French version of the scale in a large nonclinical sample.

Method: Data from 285 nonclinical participants were analysed.

Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable to good fit of the FSCRS items to a three-factor model. Good internal consistency and convergent validity were found.

Conclusions: The French validation results corroborate previous findings in a nonclinical population and confirm that the French version of the FSCRS is a robust and reliable instrument.

Keywords: compassion; factor analysis; psychometric properties; self-criticism; self-reassurance.