The development and validation of the Unified Scale of Compassion for Other People: Implications for socially responsible consumer behavior
(A2026-133751)

AUTHORS

Ecem Emur-Bilge, Technical University of Munich; Jutta Roosen, Technical University of Munich

ABSTRACT

Compassion is defined as recognizing others’ suffering and feeling motivated to alleviate it. Unlike empathy, compassion is action-oriented and extends beyond dyadic interactions to broader social and environmental concerns. This research introduces the Unified Scale of Compassion for Other People (USC-P), a multidimensional measure encompassing six components: Sensitivity to Suffering, Empathic Concern, Shared Experiences, Distress Tolerance, Compassionate Intentions, and Non-Judgmental Perspective. Across a series of studies, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a stable six-factor structure with high reliability. Predictive validity analyses showed that Empathic Concern and Compassionate Intentions were the strongest predictors of behavior, whereas more internally focused components played a lesser role. The USC-P offers a comprehensive, theoretically grounded tool for advancing research on compassion and its relevance for socially responsible consumption.