Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales in the General Population

Background: Currently within the National Health Service there is a nationwide drive to increase compassionate care. Research has shown that cultivating compassion can lead to improved well-being and mental health. However, little is known about the current level of compassion within the general population. To date, studies that have sought to explore compassion have employed measures of compassion with poor psychometric properties. Therefore there is a need for the development of a new measure of compassion. Study aims: The primary aim of the current study was to investigate the psychometric properties of a newly developed measure of compassion: The Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales (CEAS). The secondary aims of the study were to investigate the level of compassion, as measured by the CEAS, in the general population and its relationship to stress, anxiety, depression and positive affect. Method: This study employed a quantitative methodology with a longitudinal design, using an online questionnaire method to collect data. Participants were asked to complete a number of self-report questionnaires including questions regarding demographic information, compassion, positive affect, anxiety, depression and stress. Results: A total of 315 participants took part in the study. The CEAS was found to have good psychometric properties. Overall the general population reported higher levels of giving compassion towards others than receiving compassion or being self-compassionate. Self-compassion was found to be the strongest predictor of stress, anxiety, depression and positive affect. Conclusion: The CEAS is a psychometrically robust measure of compassion which can be used in research and clinical practice. Compassion based interventions help to promote increased compassion which supports improved well-being. Interventions should continue to be developed which support the cultivation of compassion at an individual and an organisational level.