What is compassion and how can we measure it? A review of definitions and measures

Dados Bibliográficos

ID23328853
AutoresClara Strau (0000-0002-0303-763X, University of Sussex, autor correspondente), Clara Strauss, Billie Lever Taylor (0000-0002-6865-3425, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust), Jenny Gu (0000-0003-3660-4204, University of Sussex), Willem Kuyken (0000-0002-8596-5252, Warneford Hospital), Ruth Baer, Ruth A Baer (0000-0001-7912-3617, University of Kentucky), Fergal W Jones (0000-0001-9459-6631, Canterbury Christ Church University), Fergal Jones, Kate Cavanagh (0000-0002-9863-1462, University of Sussex)
Ano2016
Volume47
Páginas15-27
Data de publicação2016-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoClinical Psychology Review (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0272-7358 • E-ISSN: 1873-7811
EditoraElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.cpr.2016.05.004
PMID27267346
OpenAlexW2395884151
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas167
Referências citadas47

The importance of compassion is widely recognized and it is receiving increasing research attention. Yet, there is lack of consensus on definition and a paucity of psychometrically robust measures of this construct. Without an agreed definition and adequate measures, we cannot study compassion, measure compassion or evaluate whether interventions designed to enhance compassion are effective. In response, this paper proposes a definition of compassion and offers a systematic review of self- and observer-rated measures. Following consolidation of existing definitions, we propose that compassion consists of five elements: recognizing suffering, understanding the universality of human suffering, feeling for the person suffering, tolerating uncomfortable feelings, and motivation to act/acting to alleviate suffering. Three databases were searched (Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Medline) and nine measures included and rated for quality. Quality ratings ranged from 2 to 7 out of 14 with low ratings due to poor internal consistency for subscales, insufficient evidence for factor structure and/or failure to examine floor/ceiling effects, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity. We call our five-element definition, and if supported, the development of a measure of compassion based on this operational definition, and which demonstrates adequate psychometric properties.

Compassion · Construct validity · Discriminant validity · Feeling · Internal consistency · MEDLINE · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychometrics · PsycINFO · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology