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Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) endorse fears of being self-compassionate, as assessed by the Fears of Compassion for Self scale (FCSelf; Gilbert, McEwan, Matos, & Rivis, 2011), and higher fears predict poorer treatment outcomes. Previous research using the FCSelf demonstrated a single factor solution in a non-clinical sample.

This research sought to explore the factor structure of the FCSelf in a clinical population and to examine correlations with associated constructs. The factor structure obtained was compared with its structure in a student sample.

Individuals with EDs (n = 251) completed the FCSelf, and measures of readiness to change, self-compassion, quality of life, as well as psychiatric and ED symptom severity. A female student sample (n = 314) completed the FCSelf.

In the clinical sample a two-factor solution exhibited best fit. Factor 1, labeled “Meeting Standards …