Psychometric evaluation and cross-cultural adaptation of the capacity for compassion scale for European Portuguese healthcare professionals (CCS-vPT)

Introduction Healthcare delivery settings subject healthcare professionals to high physical and emotional demands, requiring a robust capacity for compassion. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the Capacity for Compassion Scale into European Portuguese (CCS-vPT) and evaluate its psychometric properties among healthcare professionals. Methods In Phase I, translation, back-translation, expert panel review (S-CVI = 0.86), and pilot testing were conducted. In Phase II, a sample of 269 healthcare professionals ( n = 252 complete cases) completed the CCS-vPT along with the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). Psychometric evaluation included Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA, principal axis factoring with oblimin rotation), internal consistency, and criterion validity analyses. Results EFA yielded a three-factor structure-compassion toward others, self-compassion, and presence/self-regulation in the face of suffering-explaining 47.8% of the total variance. This structure differs from the four-factor structure described for the original scale. Internal consistency was high (α = 0.88 overall; subscales 0.78–0.87). Test-retest reliability demonstrated good temporal stability ( p = 0.70). Criterion validity was supported by significant positive correlations with the SCS, whereas weak or non-significant associations were observed with the ProQOL. Discussion The CCS-vPT is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring compassionate capacity in European Portuguese healthcare professionals. Its three-factor structure, which differs from the four-factor structure of the original scale, highlights a relevant finding of the cross-cultural adaptation. It offers a valuable metric for research and for guiding institutional interventions aimed at strengthening compassion and care humanization.