Spiritual Health Outcome Measures

Compassion
Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale 26 items
Self-Compassion, Short-form 12 items
Compassion Scale 24 items

Meaning in Life
Sense of Coherence Scale 29 items

Hope
Hope Scale 12 items

Serenity
Brief Serenity Scale 22 items

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Compassion
Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale
Please respond to each item by marking
Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
one box per row
1 I’m disapproving and judgmental about my
own flaws and inadequacies. 1 2 3 4 5
2 When I’m feeling down I tend to obsess and
fixate on everything that’s wrong. 1 2 3 4 5
3 When things are going badly for me, I see the
difficulties as part of life that everyone goes
1 2 3 4 5
through.
4 When I think about my inadequacies, it tends
to make me feel more separate and cut off
1 2 3 4 5
from the rest of the world.
5 I try to be loving towards myself when I’m
feeling emotional pain. 1 2 3 4 5
6 When I fail at something important to me I
become consumed by feelings of inadequacy. 1 2 3 4 5
7 When I'm down and out, I remind myself that
there are lots of other people in the world
1 2 3 4 5
feeling like I am.
8 When times are really difficult, I tend to be
tough on myself. 1 2 3 4 5
9 When something upsets me I try to keep my
emotions in balance. 1 2 3 4 5
10 When I feel inadequate in some way, I try to
remind myself that feelings of inadequacy are
1 2 3 4 5
shared by most people.
11 I’m intolerant and impatient towards those
aspects of my personality I don't like. 1 2 3 4 5
12 When I’m going through a very hard time, I
give myself the caring and tenderness I need. 1 2 3 4 5
13 When I’m feeling down, I tend to feel like most
other people are probably happier than I am. 1 2 3 4 5
14 When something painful happens I try to take
a balanced view of the situation. 1 2 3 4 5
15 I try to see my failings as part of the human
condition. 1 2 3 4 5
16 When I see aspects of myself that I don’t like,
I get down on myself. 1 2 3 4 5
17 When I fail at something important to me I try
to keep things in perspective. 1 2 3 4 5
18 When I’m really struggling, I tend to feel like
other people must be having an easier time of
1 2 3 4 5
it.
19 I’m kind to myself when I’m experiencing
suffering. 1 2 3 4 5
20 When something upsets me I get carried
away with my feelings. 1 2 3 4 5
21 I can be a bit cold-hearted towards myself
when I'm experiencing suffering. 1 2 3 4 5
22 When I'm feeling down I try to approach my
feelings with curiosity and openness. 1 2 3 4 5

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23 I’m tolerant of my own flaws and
inadequacies. 1 2 3 4 5
24 When something painful happens I tend to
blow the incident out of proportion. 1 2 3 4 5
25 When I fail at something that's important to
me, I tend to feel alone in my failure. 1 2 3 4 5
26 I try to be understanding and patient towards
those aspects of my personality I don't like. 1 2 3 4 5

Scoring: My scores:
Self-Kindness Items: 5, 12, 19, 23, 26 Self-kindness:___
Self-Judgment Items: 1, 8, 11, 16, 21 Self-judgment:___
Common Humanity Items: 3, 7, 10, 15 Common Humanity:___
Isolation Items: 4, 13, 18, 25 Isolation: ___
Mindfulness Items: 9, 14, 17, 22 Mindfulness: ___
Over-identified Items: 2, 6, 20, 24 Over-identified: ____

TOTAL: _____

Subscale scores are computed by calculating the mean of subscale item responses. To compute a total
self-compassion score, reverse score the negative subscale items - self-judgment, isolation, and over-
identification - then compute a total mean.

Notes on self-compassion scale:

Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and
Identity, 2(3), 223-250.

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Compassion-
Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale (Short-form)
Please respond to each item by marking
one box per row Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

1 When I fail at something important to me I

become consumed by feelings of inadequacy. 1 2 3 4 5
2 I try to be understanding and patient towards
those aspects of my personality I don’t like. 1 2 3 4 5

3 When something painful happens I try to take

a balanced view of the situation. 1 2 3 4 5

4 When I’m feeling down, I tend to feel like most

other people are probably happier than I am. 1 2 3 4 5
5 I try to see my failings as part of the human
condition. 1 2 3 4 5
6 When I’m going through a very hard time, I
give myself the caring and tenderness I need. 1 2 3 4 5
7 When something upsets me I try to keep my
emotions in balance. 1 2 3 4 5
8 When I fail at something that’s important to
me, I tend to feel alone in my failure 1 2 3 4 5
9 When I’m feeling down I tend to obsess and
fixate on everything that’s wrong. 1 2 3 4 5

10 When I feel inadequate in some way, I try to

remind myself that feelings of inadequacy are 1 2 3 4 5
shared by most people.
11 I’m disapproving and judgmental about my
own flaws and inadequacies. 1 2 3 4 5
12 I’m intolerant and impatient towards those
aspects of my personality I don’t like. 1 2 3 4 5
Scoring:
Coding Key: My Scores:
Self-Kindness Items: 2, 6 Self-kindness:___
Self-Judgment Items: 11, 12 Self-judgment:___
Common Humanity Items: 5, 10 Common Humanity: ___
Isolation Items: 4, 8 Isolation: ___
Mindfulness Items: 3, 7 Mindfulness: ___
Over-identified Items: 1, 9 Over-identified: ___

TOTAL:______

Subscale scores are computed by calculating the mean of subscale item responses.
To compute a total self-compassion score, reverse score the negative subscale items - self-judgment,
isolation, and over-identification (i.e., 1 = 5, 2 = 4, 3 = 3, 4 = 2, 5 = 1) - then compute a total mean.
Notes on Self-Compassion: Short Form:

Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and
Identity, 2(3), 223-250.

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Compassion Scale (HOW I TYPICALLY ACT TOWARDS OTHERS)

Please read each statement carefully before answering.

To the left of each item, indicate how often you behave in
the stated manner, using the following scale:
When people cry in front of me, I often don’t feel
1 2 3 4 5
1 anything at all.
Almost Almost
Never Always

2
Sometimes when people talk about their problems, I 1 2 3 4 5
feel like I don’t care. Almost Almost
Never Always

3
I don’t feel emotionally connected to people in pain. 1 2 3 4 5
Almost Almost
Never Always

1 2 3 4 5
4 I pay careful attention when other people talk to me.
Almost Almost
Never Always

5
I feel detached from others when they tell me their 1 2 3 4 5
tales of woe. Almost Almost
Never Always

6
If I see someone going through a difficult time, I try 1 2 3 4 5
to be caring toward that person. Almost Almost
Never Always
I often tune out when people tell me about their
1 2 3 4 5
7 troubles.
Almost Almost
Never Always

1 2 3 4 5
8 I like to be there for others in times of difficulty.
Almost Almost
Never Always

9
I notice when people are upset, even if they don’t 1 2 3 4 5
say anything. Almost Almost
Never Always

10
When I see someone feeling down, I feel like I can’t 1 2 3 4 5
relate to them. Almost Almost
Never Always

11
Everyone feels down sometimes, it is part of being 1 2 3 4 5
human. Almost Almost
Never Always
Sometimes I am cold to others when they are down
1 2 3 4 5
12 and out.
Almost Almost
Never Always

13
I tend to listen patiently when people tell me their 1 2 3 4 5
problems. Almost Almost
Never Always

5
14
I don’t concern myself with other people’s problems. 1 2 3 4 5
Almost Almost
Never Always

15
It’s important to recognize that all people have 1 2 3 4 5
weaknesses and no one’s perfect. Almost Almost
Never Always

1 2 3 4 5
16 My heart goes out to people who are unhappy.
Almost Almost
Never Always
Despite my differences with others, I know that
1 2 3 4 5
17 everyone feels pain just like me.
Almost Almost
Never Always

18
When others are feeling troubled, I usually let 1 2 3 4 5
someone else attend to them. Almost Almost
Never Always

1 2 3 4 5
19 I don’t think much about the concerns of others.
Almost Almost
Never Always
Suffering is just a part of the common human
1 2 3 4 5
20 experience.
Almost Almost
Never Always
When people tell me about their problems, I try to
1 2 3 4 5
21 keep a balanced perspective on the situation.
Almost Almost
Never Always

22
I can’t really connect with other people when they’re 1 2 3 4 5
suffering. Almost Almost
Never Always

23
I try to avoid people who are experiencing a lot of 1 2 3 4 5
pain. Almost Almost
Never Always

1 2 3 4 5
24 When others feel sadness, I try to comfort them.
Almost Almost
Never Always

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Coding and Scoring Key: My Scores

Kindness Items: 6, 8, 16, & 24 Kindness: ___

Indifference Items: 2, 12, 14, & 18 (Reversed Scored) Indifference: ___
Common Humanity: 11, 15, 17, & 20 Common Humanity: ___
Separation: 3, 5, 10, & 22 (Reversed Scored) Separation: ___
Mindfulness: 4, 9, 13, & 21 Mindfulness: ___
Disengagement: 1, 7, 19, & 23 (Reverse Scored) Disengagement: ___

TOTAL COMPASSION: __________

To reverse-score, change the following values: 1 = 5, 2 = 4, 3 = 3, 4 = 2, 5 = 1

To compute a total Compassion Score, take the mean of each subscale (after reverse-scoring) and
compute a total mean.

Please remember that if you plan to examine the subscales separately, you should not reverse-code.
Before reverse-coding, for example, higher indifference scores represent more indifference, but after
reverse-coding higher indifference scores represent less indifference. This is why the subscales of
indifference, separation, and disengagement are reverse-coded before taking an overall compassion
mean.

Notes on Compassion Scale:

Pommier, E. A. (2011). The compassion scale. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A:

Humanities and Social Sciences, 72, 1174.

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 Sense of Meaning in Life (Sense of Coherence Scale)

Here is a series of questions relating to

various aspects of your lives. Each question
has seven possible answers. Please mark
the number, which expresses your answer.
When you talk to people, do you have
SOC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 the feeling that they don’t understand
Never Always have this
you? (R) feeling
In the past, when you had to do
SOC something which depended upon 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
cooperation withothers, did you have Wouldn’t Would
the feeling that it: get done get done

Think of the people with whom you

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC come into contact daily, aside from the
3 You feel You know
ones towhom you feel closest. How they’re them very
well do you know most of them? strangers well
Do you have the feeling that you don’t
SOC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4 really care about what goes on around
Seldom/ Very Often
you? (R) Never
Has it happened in the past that you
SOC were surprised by the behaviour of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5
people whom youthought you knew Never Always
well? (R)
SOC Has it happened that people whom
6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
you counted on disappointed you? (R) Never Always

SOC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7 Life is: (R)
Full of Completely
Interest Routine

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC
8 Until now your life has had: No clear Very clear
goals or goals &
purpose purpose

SOC Do you have the feeling that you’re 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

9
being treated unfairly? Very often Very seldom
never

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
In the past ten years your life has Full of Completely
SOC
10 changes Consistent
been: without
knowing
what’s next

SOC Most of the things you do in the future 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

11
will probably be: (R) Completely Deadly
fascinating Boring
Do you have the feeling that you are in
SOC
12 an unfamiliar situation and don’t know 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
what todo? Very often Very seldom

8
 never

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC What best describes how you see life:
13 Always a No solution
(R) solution to to painful
painful things things

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC When you think about your life, you Feel how Ask yourself
14
very often: (R) good it why you
feels to exist at all
be alive

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC When you face a difficult problem, the Always Always clear
15
choice of a solution is: confusing
& hard to
find

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC Doing the things you do every day is:
16 A source A source
(R) of pleasure of pain
& satisfaction boredom

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Full of Completely
SOC
17 Your life in the future will probably be: changes Consistent
without
knowing
what’s next

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
When something unpleasant
SOC “To beat To say “ok
happened in the past your tendency
18
yourself up” that’s that.
was:
about it I have to
live with it”

SOC Do you have very mixed-up feelings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

19
and ideas? Very often Very seldom
never

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC When you do something that gives Certain you Something
20
you a good feeling: (R) will go on will happen
feeling to spoil
good the fun

SOC Does it happen that you have feelings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

21
inside you would rather not feel? Very often Very seldom
never

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC You anticipate that your personal life
22 Without Full of
in the future will be: Meaning or Meaning &
Purpose Purpose

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 Do you think that there will always be 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC
23 people whom you’ll be able to count Certain you doubt
on in thefuture? (R) there will there will
be be
Does it happen that you have the
SOC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
24 feeling that you don’t know exactly
Very often Very seldom
what’s about tohappen? never
Many people – even those with a
strong character – sometimes feel like 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC
25 sad sacks(losers) in certain situations. Never Very often
How often have you felt this way in the
past? (R)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SOC When something happened, have you You over/ You won’t
26
generally found that: underestimate succeed in
its importanceovercoming
the difficulties

When you think of the difficulties you 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

SOC are likely to face in important aspects You will You wont
27
of your life,do you have the feeling succeed in succeed in
that: (R) overcoming overcoming
difficulties difficulties
How often do you have the feeling that
SOC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
28 there’s little meaning in the things you
Very often Very seldom
do in yourdaily life? never
How often do you have feelings that
SOC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
29 you’re not sure you can keep under
Very often Very seldom
control? never

Scoring:
(Note: R = reverse-scored item)
Total all subscales as follows: My Scores:
Comprehensibility: # 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26 Comprehensibility: ____
Manageability: # 2, 6, 9, 13, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29 Manageability: ___
Meaningfulness: # 4, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 22, 28 Meaningfulness: _____

A higher score expresses a strong sense of coherence.

Notes on Sense of Coherence:

Antonovsky, A. (1987). Unraveling the mystery of health: How people manage stress and stay well.
Jossey-Bass.

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 Hope- Hope scale (The Future Scale)
Using the scale shown below,
Definitely Mostly Somewhat Slightly Slightly Somewhat Mostly Definitely
please select the number that False False False False True True True True
best describes YOU.
HS1
I can think of many ways
to get out of a jam. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
HS2
I energetically pursue my
goals. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
HS3
I feel tired most of the
time. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
HS4
There are lots of ways
around any problem. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
HS5
I am easily downed in an
argument. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
I can think of many ways
HS6 to get the things in life that 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
are important to me.
HS7 I worry about my health.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Even when others get
HS8
discouraged, I know I can 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
find a way to solve the
problem.
My past experiences have
HS9 prepared me well for my 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
future.
HS10
I've been pretty successful
in life. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
HS11
I usually find myself
worrying about something. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
HS12
I meet the goals that I set
for myself. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Scoring: When administering the scale, it is called The Future Scale. The Agency subscale score is
derived by summing items # 2, 9, 10, and 12; the Pathway subscale score is derived by adding items # 1,
4, 6, and 8. The total Hope Scale score is derived by summing the four Agency and the four Pathway
items.

My score for Agency:___

My score for Pathway:___
TOTAL HOPE SCORE: ____

Notes on the Hope Scale:

Snyder, C. R., Harris, C., Anderson, J. R., Holleran, S. A., Irving, L. M., Sigmon, S. T., & Harney, P.
(1991). The will and the ways: development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope.
Journal of personality and social psychology, 60(4), 570.

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Serenity
(Brief Serenity Scale)

In the last month:

I am aware of an inner source of comfort, strength
A 1 2 3 4 5
and security Never Always
During troubled times, I experience an inner source
B 1 2 3 4 5
of strength. Never Always
I trust that life events happen to fit a plan which is
C 1 2 3 4 5
larger and more gentle than I can know Never Always
I see the good in painful events that have happened
D 1 2 3 4 5
to me Never Always

E I experience peace of mind 1 2 3 4 5

Never Always

F I am forgiving of myself for past mistakes 1 2 3 4 5

Never Always
I take care of today and let yesterday and tomorrow
G 1 2 3 4 5
take care of themselves Never Always
In problem situations, I do what I am able to do and
H 1 2 3 4 5
then accept whatever happens even if I dislike it Never Always

I I accept situations that I cannot change 1 2 3 4 5

Never Always
I try to place my problems in the proper perspective
J 1 2 3 4 5
in any given situation Never Always

K I am aware of inner peace 1 2 3 4 5

Never Always
I experience an inner quiet that does not depend on
L 1 2 3 4 5
events Never Always

M I find ways to share my talents with others 1 2 3 4 5

Never Always
When I get upset, I become peaceful by getting in
N 1 2 3 4 5
touch with my inner self Never Always
I attempt to deal with what is, rather than what was,
O 1 2 3 4 5
or what will be Never Always
Even though I do not understand, I trust in the
P 1 2 3 4 5
ultimate goodness of the plan of things Never Always
I experience an inner calm even when I am under
Q 1 2 3 4 5
pressure Never Always

12
R I feel that I have done the best I could in life 1 2 3 4 5
Never Always
I can feel angry and observe my feeling of anger
S and separate myself from it and still feel an inner 1 2 3 4 5
peace Never Always

T I trust that everything happens as it should 1 2 3 4 5

Never Always

U I feel forgiving of those who have harmed me 1 2 3 4 5

Never Always

V I feel serene 1 2 3 4 5
Never Always

My scores:
Subscale scores My scores
Acceptance Items F,G, H, I, J, M, O, R, U, and V and divide by 10 Acceptance: ____
Inner haven Items A, B, E, K, L, N, Q, and S and divide by 8 Inner haven: ____
Trust Items:C, D, P, and Tand divide by 4 Trust: ____

Notes on the Brief Serenity Scale:

Kreitzer MJ, Gross C, et al. The Brief Serenity Scale: A Psychometric Analysis of a Measure of Spirituality
and Well-being. J Holist Nurs, 2009;27(1): 7-16

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