(PS8-C59) The Development and Initial Validation of the Self-validation and Invalidation Scale (SVIS)

Self-validation is theorized to be a protective factor and self-invalidation as a risk factor for psychopathology (e.g., borderline personality disorder, eating pathology, and depression). Self-validation is the process of recognizing the legitimacy of one’s own internal experiences, behaviors, and worthiness. In contrast, self-invalidation involves undermining, dismissing, or delegitimizing these processes. Assessment tools for these constructs, however, are lacking. To address this gap, we developed the Self-Validation and Invalidation Scale (SVIS) and examined its preliminary psychometric properties. Participants were recruited via Prolific (N = 423; M_age = 34.5, SD = 11.3; 61% women; 72% White; 14% Black). Consistent with our theoretical expectations, an exploratory factor analysis conducted using maximum likelihood estimation and a Promax rotation indicated that the item sets we generated reflect a two-factor solution of self-validation and self-invalidation. Self-validation and invalidation subscales had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .95 and .94, respectively) and were negatively correlated with one another (r = -.75, p < .001). Using the same sample, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielded acceptable fit for the correlated two-factor CFA solution (CFI = .93, TLI = .92, RMSEA = .06, SRMR = .04, AIC = 38490.48). The bifactor solution also evidenced acceptable fit (CFI = .94, TLI = .93, RMSEA = .06, SRMR = .04; AIC =38410.97). Self-validation and invalidation factors were strongly correlated, in the expected directions, with measures of self-compassion (i.e., rs = .76 and -.77, ps < .001, respectively), and overall maladaptive personality traits (i.e., rs = -.59 and .71, ps < .001, respectively). Unexpectedly, psychoticism traits were strongly correlated with both self-validation (r = -.42, p < .001) and invalidation (r = .57, p < .001). However, as expected, antagonism traits were weakly correlated with self-validation (r -.14, p = .004) and invalidation (r = .22, p < .001). After accounting for self-compassion, self-validation explained an additional 9% of the variance in depressive symptoms, 10% in psychological well-being, and 6% in anxiety symptoms. Accounting for both self-compassion and self-validation, self-invalidation explained an additional 9% of the variance in depressive symptoms, 3% in psychological well-being, and 7% in anxiety. Overall, these findings provide preliminary evidence for validating the SVIS for assessing both self-validation and invalidation. SVIS scores incrementally accounted for additional variance in depressive symptoms, psychological well-being, and anxiety. Similarly, the SVIS evidenced good divergent validity with antagonism, yet not psychoticism traits. The findings of this study will inform future efforts to refine the SVIS and replicate its factor structure and psychometric properties.