Validation of the TOSCA-3 among Chinese young adults

In this study, we translated into Chinese the Test of Self-Conscious Affect Version 3 (TOSCA-3) and examined the reliability and validity using 3 independent samples of Chinese young adults. The Chinese version (TOSCA-3C) showed acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability in all its subscales except for the 2 pride scales. Shame-proneness was found to be positively correlated with trait shame, state anxiety, and fear of negative evaluation. Shame-proneness was found to be negatively correlated with self-esteem. Guilt-proneness was not correlated with any of the measurements. Shame-proneness was also a significant predictor of depression symptoms 2 weeks after the first assessment for depressive symptoms, with self-esteem as a full mediator of this relationship.