The objective of the present study was to construct and validate a short‐form version of the Self‐Compassion Scale (SCS). Two Dutch samples were used to construct and cross‐validate the factorial structure of a 12‐item Self‐Compassion Scale–Short Form (SCS–SF). The SCS‐SF was then validated in a third, English sample. The SCS–SF demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.86 in all samples) and a near‐perfect correlation with the long form SCS (r ≥ 0.97 all samples). Confirmatory factor analysis on the SCS–SF supported the same six‐factor structure as found in the long form, as well as a single higher‐order factor of self‐compassion. The SCS–SF thus represents a reliable and valid alternative to the long‐form SCS, especially when looking at overall self‐compassion scores. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

• The 12‐item Self‐Compassion …