Adaptation of the state self-compassion scale short form into Turkish: a methodological study

The present study was conducted to adapt the state self-compassion scale short form into Turkish. This methodological study was conducted online between June and October 2025. Participants were recruited through a non-probability online convenience and snowball sampling strategy via social media platforms. Eligibility criteria were being 18 years of age or older, residing in Turkey, being able to read and understand Turkish, and providing electronic informed consent. After screening and consent procedures, the final sample consisted of 300 Turkish-speaking adult participants. “Personal Information Form” and the “State Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SSCS-S)” were used for data collection. The analyses revealed that the content validity index (I-CVI) values for each item ranged between 0.90 and 1.00, and the scale’s overall content validity index (S-CVI) was calculated to be 0.99. Item factor loadings supporting the scale’s construct validity were found to range between 0.480 and 0.670. The model fit indices found with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the proposed model showed a good level of fit with the data set. The following results were found as a result of the analyses: χ²=13.08, sd = 7 (p < 0.05), χ²/sd = 1.86, RMSEA = 0.054, CFI = 0.99, SRMR = 0.032, TLI = 0.98, RMR = 0.038 and AIC = 41.08. These indicators show that the model meets the suitability criteria, supporting the construct validity of the scale. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.770 and McDonald’s omega coefficient was 0.756. State Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form Turkish form, which aims to measure self-compassion levels, is a reliable and valid instrument in this Turkish-speaking adult sample. Not applicable. What is already known about this topic? Self-compassion is an important psychological resource that refers to an individual’s ability to adopt an understanding, nonjudgmental, and supportive attitude toward oneself in the face of challenging experiences. What this paper adds: This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that the short version of the SSCS-S is a valid and reliable measurement tool. The short form enables the rapid and practical assessment of self-compassion at a momentary and contextual level. The implications of this paper: The findings provide Turkish nursing researchers and clinicians with a brief, valid, and reliable instrument for assessing state self-compassion in adults. This tool may be used in future nursing research and practice to evaluate self-compassion in patients, caregivers, nursing students, nurses, and community populations, particularly in studies focusing on stress, coping, emotional regulation, resilience, and psychosocial well-being.