Measuring shame regulation: Validation of the Compass of Shame Scale

Shame is a powerful self-conscious emotion that can interfere with healthy psychological functioning. We examined the validity of the Compass of Shame Scale (CoSS), a self-report measure designed to assess shame regulation styles. In this paper, the construct validity of the Dutch version and two newly developed subscales of the CoSS were investigated in a survey of 324 adolescents. The results confirmed that the Dutch version and the two new subscales have satisfactory psychometric qualities. We also studied the higher level factor structure of the CoSS for measuring shame by introducing the concepts of internalizing and externalizing shame-coping styles and the results support the observation that the CoSS measures maladaptive neurotic internalizing shame regulation, as well as externalizing shame regulation.