Self-Compassion Test (SCS)
How you treat yourself during difficult times — 6 dimensions of self-compassion
When you struggle, are you kind to yourself or hard on yourself? The Self-Compassion Scale measures how you treat yourself during difficult times across 6 dimensions. 26 items, about 5 minutes.
About This Assessment
The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) measures how you treat yourself during difficult times, failures, or suffering — whether you respond with kindness, see your struggles as part of being human, or tend to be harsh and self-critical. Kristin Neff (2003) developed the scale, published in Self and Identity.
What It Measures
The SCS assesses how individuals treat themselves during difficult times, failures, or suffering. It covers six subscales organized into three components:
1. Self-Kindness vs. Self-Judgment
The tendency to be warm and understanding toward oneself when suffering or failing, rather than harshly critical.
2. Common Humanity vs. Isolation
Seeing one's imperfections as part of the shared human experience rather than feeling isolated by them.
3. Mindfulness vs. Over-Identification
Holding painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness rather than over-identifying with them.
Background
Self-compassion draws from Buddhist psychology, operationalized by Neff. Key difference from self-esteem: self-esteem depends on positive self-evaluation and social comparison, while self-compassion involves no evaluation — it is simply about how one treats oneself in suffering.
Research consistently links self-compassion to greater psychological well-being and lower anxiety, depression, and stress (Neff, 2003; Neff, Kirkpatrick & Rude, 2007).
Disclaimer
This assessment is an educational self-awareness tool. It is not a diagnostic instrument. If you have concerns about your mental health, please consult a qualified mental health professional.
Scoring Guide
26 items, 5-point Likert scale (1=Almost Never to 5=Almost Always). Score is mean of 6 subscale means (negative subscales reverse-scored). Cronbach alpha = .92, test-retest = .93 (Neff, 2003). Note: This is an educational screening tool, not a clinical diagnostic instrument.Result Interpretation
Finish the 26 questions and you get your results straight away — no account, no sign-up, no waiting.
We calculate your total from your answers, then give you a plain-language explanation of what the numbers mean. Where a test has sub-scales, each dimension gets its own score. Whenever possible, we also show how your results compare to population norms.
详细报告 📊
Get an in-depth analysis with dimension breakdowns, population comparisons, and actionable recommendations.