Development of the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Scale: Psychometric Properties and Validity Study

Abstract

This study aims to develop a new self-report measure of unconditional self-acceptance (USAS), and to examine its psychometric properties. A total of 1,137 adults aged between 18 and 76 participated in the study. To determine the reliability, construct validity, convergent validity, measurement invariance, and predictive validity of the scale, several statistical analyses were conducted. Both Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported a unidimensional structure, demonstrating satisfactory construct validity. For convergent validity, significant correlations were found between the new USAS and the previous unconditional self-acceptance scale. Predictive validity analyses showed that higher levels of unconditional self-acceptance were significantly associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Internal consistency analyses indicated high reliability. Measurement invariance analyses revealed that the USAS functions equivalently across academic and non-academic contexts, allowing for meaningful comparisons. Overall, the findings suggest that the new USAS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing unconditional self-acceptance.