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The Italian Validation of Singelis’s Self-Construal Scale (SCS): a Short 10-Item Version Shows Improved Psychometric Properties

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Abstract

This study validates an Italian version of Singelis’s Independent and Interdependent Self-Construal Scale (SCS; Singelis in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 20, 580–591, 1994; Singelis et al. in Cross-Cultural Research, 29, 240–275, 1995), a scale intended to measure individuals' feelings of connectedness to and separateness from social situations. Results of the Italian validation, carried out through three studies involved a total of 803 Italian university students, has led to a short 10-item version, with two 5-item orthogonal factors respectively reflecting independent self-construal and interdependent self-construal. The new short version of Singelis’s scale, as examined through exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses, shows a more stable factor structure than the original version, maintaining the same internal consistency and obtaining improved indexes of concurrent validity for the Interdependent Self-Construal Scale, as explored by investigating the relationships with self-esteem.

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Conflict of Interest

Author Antonella D’Amico declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Author Fabrizio Scrima declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e della Formazione - Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d’Orleans, Edificio 15, 90128, Palermo, Italy

    Antonella D’Amico

  2. Université de Rouen, Rue Lavoisier, Mont Saint Aignan, 76821, Rouen, France

    Fabrizio Scrima

Authors
  1. Antonella D’Amico
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  2. Fabrizio Scrima
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonella D’Amico.

Appendix

Appendix

Italian Translation of the 30-item version of Singelis’s Self-Construal Scale, followed by original source. The items labelled Indep- belong to the Independent subscale, the items labelled Interdep- belong to the Interdependent subscale. The right columns indicate the items included in the old 24-item version and in the new SCS-Short Version.

  

24 Items (Singelis 1994)

10 Items (SCS-Short Version)

Indep-1

Mi piace essere unico e diverso dagli altri sotto molti punti di vista.

I enjoy being unique and different from others in many respects.

X

 

Indep-2

Riesco a parlare apertamente con una persona che incontro per la prima volta, anche se è molto più grande di me.

I can talk openly with a person who I meet for the first time, even when this person is much older than I am.

X

 

Interdep-3

Anche quando sono in forte disaccordo con altri membri del gruppo, evito le discussioni.

Even when I strongly disagree with group members, I avoid an argument.

X

 

Interdep-4

Ho rispetto per l’autorità delle figure con le quali interagisco.

I have respect for the authority figures with whom I interact.

X

 

Indep-5

Gestisco le mie cose personali indipendentemente da cosa pensino gli altri.

I do my own thing, regardless of what others think.

 

X

Interdep-6

Rispetto le persone modeste.

I respect people who are modest about themselves.

X

 

Indep-7

Ritengo importante per me agire da persona indipendente.

I feel it is important for me to act as an independent person.

  

Interdep-8

Sacrificherei i miei interessi personali a beneficio del gruppo al quale appartengo.

I will sacrifice my self-interest for the benefit of the group I am in.

X

X

Indep-9

Preferirei dire “No” direttamente, piuttosto che rischiare di essere frainteso.

I’d rather say “No” directly, than risk being misunderstood.

X

X

Indep-10

Per me è importante avere una vivida immaginazione.

Having a lively imagination is important to me.

X

 

Interdep-11

Dovrei tenere in considerazione il parere dei miei genitori quando faccio progetti di studio o di lavoro.

I should take into consideration my parents’ advice when making education or career plans.

X

 

Interdep-12

Sento che il mio destino è intrecciato a quello delle persone che mi stanno intorno.

I feel my fate is intertwined with the fate of those around me.

  

Indep-13

Preferisco essere diretto ed esplicito quando ho a che fare con qualcuno che ho appena incontrato.

I prefer to be direct and forthright when dealing with people I’ve just met.

X

X

Interdep-14

Mi sento bene quando collaboro con gli altri.

I feel good when I cooperate with others.

  

Indep-15

Mi sento a mio agio nel ricevere elogi o riconoscimenti.

I am comfortable with being singled out for praise or rewards.

X

 

Interdep-16

Se mio fratello o mia sorella commette un errore, mi sento responsabile.

If my brother or sister fails, I feel responsible.

X

X

Interdep-17

Spesso ho la sensazione che le mie relazioni con gli altri siano più importanti dei miei obiettivi personali.

I often have the feeling that my relationships with others are more important than my own accomplishments.

X

X

Indep-18

Prendere la parola in classe (o durante una riunione) non è un problema per me.

Speaking up during a class (or a meeting) is not a problem for me.

X

 

Interdep-19

Offrirei il mio posto sull’autobus al mio professore (o al mio capo).

I would offer my seat in a bus to my professor (or my boss).

X

 

Indep-20

Mi comporto sempre alla stesso modo, indipendentemente dalla persona con cui mi trovo.

I act the same way no matter who I am with.

X

X

Interdep-21

La mia felicità dipende dalla felicità delle persone che mi stanno intorno.

My happiness depends on the happiness of those around me.

X

X

Indep-22

Ci tengo ad essere in buona salute innanzi tutto.

I value being in good health above everything.

X

 

Interdep-23

Starei in un gruppo se avessero bisogno di me, anche se con loro non fossi felice.

I will stay in a group if they need me, even when I am not happy with the group.

X

X

Indep-24

Cerco di fare la cosa migliore per me, indipendentemente da come ciò possa condizionare gli altri.

I try to do what is best for me, regardless of how that might affect others.

  

Indep-25

Essere in grado di badare a me stesso è una preoccupazione primaria per me.

Being able to take care of myself is a primary concern for me.

X

 

Interdep-26

È importante per me rispettare le decisioni prese dal gruppo.

It is important to me to respect decisions made by the group.

X

 

Indep-27

La mia personale identità, indipendente dagli altri, è molto importante per me.

My personal identity, independent of others, is very important to me.

X

 

Interdep-28

È importante per me mantenere l’armonia all’interno del mio gruppo.

It is important for me to maintain harmony within my group.

X

 

Indep-29

Mi comporto alla stesso modo sia a casa che scuola (o al lavoro).

I act the same way at home that I do at school (or work).

X

X

Interdep-30

Generalmente seguo ciò che gli altri vogliono fare, anche quando preferirei fare qualcosa di diverso.

I usually go along with what others want to do, even when I would rather do something different.

  

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D’Amico, A., Scrima, F. The Italian Validation of Singelis’s Self-Construal Scale (SCS): a Short 10-Item Version Shows Improved Psychometric Properties. Curr Psychol 35, 159–168 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-015-9378-y

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