[Development of the Compassionate and Self-Image Goals Scale in Japanese]

Three studies tested the reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the scale that measures compassionate goals to support others’ well-being and self-image goals to construct and defend a desired self-image. Consistent with Crocker and Canevello’s (2008) original English scale, the Japanese scale had a correlated two-factor structure and showed high reliability. Study 1 found that when controlling for self-image goals, compassionate goals were associated with lower zero-sum thinking, lower validation-seeking, higher growth-seeking, and higher independent self-construal. Controlling for compassionate goals, self-image goals were associated with higher validation-seeking and higher interdependent self-construal. In Studies 2 and 3, compassionate goals were associated with self-compassion and private self-consciousness to a greater extent than self-image goals, whereas self-image goals were associated with insecure attachment and with public self-consciousness to a greater extent than compassionate goals. A promotion focus and a prevention focus were moderately associated with both goals, suggesting that compassionate and self-image goals are different from these constructs.