Compassion Scale: factor structure and scale validation in Hong Kong adolescents

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cross-cultural psychology
• Adolescent psychology

Background:

• Compassion is a vital aspect of adolescent well-being.
• Validating measurement tools is crucial for cross-cultural research.
• The 16-item Compassion Scale (CS) requires validation in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the 16-item Compassion Scale (CS) for Hong Kong adolescents.
• To examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the CS in a new cultural context.
• To assess the reliability and validity of the CS for use in cross-cultural studies.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to determine the CS's factor structure.
• Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE).
• Concurrent validity was evaluated through partial correlations with social connectedness and self-efficacy, alongside multigroup analysis for model fit across demographics.

Main Results:

• Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure for the CS, combining mindfulness and kindness into 'benevolence'.
• The scale demonstrated satisfactory model fit across various demographic subgroups (age, gender, grade, school type).
• The CS showed significant positive correlations with social connectedness and self-efficacy, supporting its concurrent validity. Girls and younger adolescents reported higher compassion levels.

Conclusions:

• The validated CS is a reliable and valid measure for assessing compassion in Hong Kong adolescents.
• The findings highlight the influence of sociocultural factors on compassion expression in this population.
• The study provides evidence-based implications for developing culturally sensitive compassion interventions.