Evaluation of psychometric properties of Persian version of Body Compassion Scale: Validation with clinical and nonclinical samples.

BACKGROUND

Body compassion combines the concepts of body image and compassion for oneself. This concept includes the three components of defusion, common humanity, and acceptance. Due to the importance of this concept, this study was conducted to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Body Compassion Scale (BCS) in clinical and nonclinical samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research is of correlational type in the field of psychometrics. The statistical population of the clinical sample included patients referred to cosmetic surgery clinics in Tehran in 2019-2020. Accordingly, 379 people were selected using the convenience sampling. They completed the BCS, Body Image Shame Scale, The Levels of Self-Criticism, Appearance Anxiety Inventory, and Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. The statistical population in the nonclinical sample includes people present in public places (such as public parks and cinemas) and universities in Kermanshah in 2020-2019. Ultimately, 367 people were selected using the convenience sampling method. Participants completed the BCS, External Shame Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and Body Imaging Psychological Inflexibility Scale. Data were analyzed using LISREL 8.80 and SPSS 24 software.

RESULTS

The results showed that the three-factor structure of the BCS in both clinical and nonclinical samples has a good fit. Reliability was appropriate by calculating Cronbach's alpha and the test-retest of scale in clinical and nonclinical samples. Convergent and divergent validity of the scale was also good in both clinical and nonclinical samples.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the Persian version of the BCS has good psychometric properties in both clinical and nonclinical samples. Therefore, this scale can be a valuable instrument in clinical and research work in the Iranian society.