Investigating the Psychometric Properties of Persian Version of the Fear of Compassion Scale (FCS)

The purpose of this study was to study the psychometrics characteristics of Fear of Compassion Scale (Gilbert, McEwan, Matos, & Rivis, 2011) in Iranian society. Therefore, using random cluster method, 872 students of Shiraz University were selected. They were assessed by Compassion Fear Questionnaire, DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), Self-Criticism Scale (Thompson & Zuroff, 2004), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (Hayes et al., 2004) and Self-Compassion Scale (Raes, Pommier, Neff& Van Gucht, 2011). Results of factor analysis by principal components method and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure in the Persian version of the Fear of Compassion Questionnaire. The correlation of the scores obtained from the subscales of the questionnaire with the scores of other research instruments has also confirmed its convergent and divergent validity. In addition, Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all three subscales, as well as retest coefficients with two weeks interval, were in the desired range. The results of statistical analysis confirmed three components of fear of compassion from others, fear of compassion for self, and fear of compassion for others, suggesting the use of the Persian version of the questionnaire in Iranian students.