Factorial validity of the self-compassion scale among female University students: A comparative study between Saudi and Egyptian cultures

Wafaa A. Alzamil, Usama M. Ibrahem, May F. Almusfir, Mona A. ALqasem, Emad M. Ahmed, Manal T. Alkasabi

Abstract

The study aims to verify the factorial structure of the self-compassion scale across different cultural contexts. The sample included 1039 students, divided into 521 students from Zagazig University (ZU) and 518 from Princess Nourah University (PNU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which were chosen randomly. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the stability of items on the dimensions. The results showed stability along with kindness with self, isolation, common humanity, and self-judgment factors. On the other hand, confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the results of this study yielded the best fit for the total sample. Then factor analysis across the two groups was used to verify the existence of differences between Saudi and Egyptian cultures. The analysis results revealed that the Egyptian environment model is superior to its Saudi counterpart and that there are no differences between the two cultures using the factorial differences indicators RMSEA, NNFI, GFI, and SRMR. This study’s outcomes can have global implications for promoting self-compassion as a tool for improving mental health and well-being across cultures.

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