Psychometric scales developed at the MMRL

The MMRL has developed and validated scales to measure different facets of mindfulness and compassion. They are available for all researchers to use without any fees. FAQs about the scales can be found at the bottom of the page.

Outline of a human body on a white background.

Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire (EMQ)

The Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire (EMQ) is a 24-item rating scale used in mindfulness research that operationalizes and measures embodiment within mindfulness practice.

Two simplistic gray icons of people sitting on chairs facing each other on a white background.

Interpersonal Mindfulness Questionnaire (IMQ)

The Interpersonal Mindfulness Questionnaire (IMQ) is a 19-item rating scale used in mindfulness research that operationalizes embodiment in measuring interpersonal mindfulness in dyadic settings.

Placeholder image indicating content related to heart health or care, featuring a figure holding a heart.

Compassion Questionnaire for Self-Revised (CQS-R)

The Compassion Questionnaire for Self-Revised (CQS-R) was developed to improve on the original CQS scale. The CQS-R is a 39-item rating scale used in mindfulness research to measure self-compassion across affective, cognitive, behavioral, and relational dimensions.

Line drawing of two hands shaking.

The Compassion Questionnaire for Others-Revised (CQO-R)

The Compassion Questionnaire for Others-Revised (CQO-R) was developed to improve on the original CQO scale. The CQO-R is a 33-item rating scale used in mindfulness research to measure compassion for others across affective/cognitive, behavioral, and relational dimensions.

Line drawing of a small bunny being held in a hand with a small heart above its head.

Compassion Questionnaire for Animals (CQA)

The Compassion Questionnaire for Animals (CQA) is a 28-item rating scale used in mindfulness research to measure compassion for animals.

A line drawing of a small fluffy bunny being gently held in a person's hand, with a small heart above its head.

Compassion Questionnaire for Animals (CQA-18)

The Compassion Questionnaire for Animals (CQA-18) is an 18-item rating scale used in mindfulness research to measure compassion for animals.

Additional Scales

  • Compassion Questionnaire for Self (CQS): Developed and validated at the MMRL. While this questionnaire is available for reference, we recommend that researchers use the revised version above (CQS-R) as it has improved psychometric properties. Click here to download.

  • Compassion Questionnaire towards Others (CQO): Developed and validated at the MMRL. While this questionnaire is available for reference, we recommend that researchers use the revised version above (CQO-R) as it has improved psychometric properties. Click here to download.

  • Empathy Toward Animals (ETA) Scale: Developed by Gwendolen Mair Powell (not affiliated with the MMRL) and validated at the MMRL. Click here to download.

  • Chinese version of the Interpersonal Mindfulness Questionnaire (IMQ): Developed and validated by Dr. Jieting (Jenny) Zhang, who is a collaborator of the MMRL based at Shenzhen University in China. Click here to download.

  • Chinese version of the Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire (EMQ): Developed and validated by Dr. Jieting (Jenny) Zhang, who is a collaborator of the MMRL based at Shenzhen University in China. Click here to download.

A checklist with a pen, showing three checked items on a notepad.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, you do not need to ask permission to use these scales in your research. They are available for everyone to use without any fees. At the bottom of each scale, you will find information on how to cite the scale without any issues regarding copyright.

  • Yes, each of these scales have been validated by researchers at the MMRL and published in peer-reviewed journals.

  • Revised versions of the Compassion Questionnaire for Others (CQO-R) and Compassion Questionnaire for Self (CQS-R) were developed to improve on the originals by addressing issues such as the limited number of items, narrow concept coverage, one-directional item wording, absence of an overall compassion factor, and validation based only on female participants. 

    We recommend that researchers use the revised versions as they have improved psychometric properties. 

  • The CQA-18 is simply an abbreviated version of the CQA. The CQA-18 has 18 items, and the CQA has 28 items.

    People who want the full scale should use CQA and those who prefer a shorter version can use the CQA-18.

  • Yes, we encourage global researchers to translate these scales into their own languages. You have our permission to translate these scales, but we ask that you please let Dr. Khoury know so that we can keep track of translations and make them available on our website.

  • We are thrilled that translation and validation of many of our scales is currently underway in labs around the world. Translations of the following scales will be published on our website once validation is complete:

    • French translations of all the scales above are currently under validation by MMRL’s Myriam Lesage

    • Chinese translations of the Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire (EMQ) and Interpersonal Mindfulness Questionnaire (IMQ) have been developed and validated by Dr. Jieting (Jenny) Zhang, who is a collaborator of the MMRL based at Shenzhen University in China.

    • Portuguese translation of the Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire (EMQ) is being developed by Dr. Cristiana Marques and Dr. Maria João Martinsat the University of Coimbra in Portugal. 

    • Japanese translations of the Compassion Questionnaire for Animals are being developed by Emi Ishikawa at the University of Tsukuba, Japan; and the Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire and Interpersonal Mindfulness Questionnaire are being translated by Dr. Rei Amemiya at the University of Tsukuba, Japan. 

  • We have published theoretical papers about each scale, which you can refer to for more information. When you download each scale, you will see the theoretical paper listed at the bottom of the document.

  • For additional inquiries about MMRL scales, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Bassam Khoury at bassam.el-khoury@mcgill.ca.