The State Self-Compassion Scale, Short Form (SSCS-SF), is a psychological assessment tool designed to measure an individual's self-compassion at a specific moment in time. It is derived from the original Self-Compassion Scale by Kristin Neff, but focuses on the state, or temporary, aspects of self-compassion rather than trait, or more stable, aspects. The short form consists of fewer items than the long 18-item version, making it a quicker and more efficient tool for capturing momentary levels of self-compassion. It assesses dimensions such as self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, providing insight into how individuals treat themselves in challenging or stressful situations. The scale is used in various research and clinical settings to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at enhancing self-compassion.

Self-report

6

14+

No recommended standard frequency; Blueprint recommends monthly.

The SSCS-SF consists of 6 questions that are answered using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (“Not at all true for me”) to 5 (“Very true for me”). Items 2, 4 and 6 are reverse-scored (1=5, 2=4, 3=3, 4=2, 5=1). The total score is the mean of all item responses.

There are no clinical norms or scores established to indicate a level of an individual’s state self-compassion. Instead, the SSCS-SF scores are used primarily to compare one individual’s self-compassion state from one date of administration to the next. However, the suggested ad hoc rubric by the author is as follows:

N/A

Neff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Knox, M. C., Kuchar, A., & Davidson, O. (2021). The development and validation of the State Self-Compassion Scale (long- and short form). Mindfulness, 12(1), 121–140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01505-4

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