_Dr. Kennedy Obohwemu launches the Self-Comforting and Coping Scale (SCCS), offering a new lens for understanding how individuals manage stress and emotional distress._
Birmingham, United Kingdom — In a major breakthrough for psychological science, Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, a UK-based academic and mental health enthusiast originally from Nigeria, has developed a pioneering tool—the Self-Comforting and Coping Scale (SCCS)—to scientifically assess self-soothing behaviours, a previously underexplored dimension of emotional regulation.
The SCCS is the first comprehensive psychometric instrument designed to measure how individuals consciously or unconsciously comfort themselves in times of distress. Drawing on 13 distinct behavioural dimensions, including mindfulness, cognitive reframing, and compassionate self-talk, the scale offers a comprehensive and reliable framework for evaluating emotional resilience.
This innovation also forms the foundation of a broader psychological model—the Self-Comforting and Coping Theory (SCCT)—which posits that self-soothing plays a central role in adaptive coping, stress reduction, and long-term mental wellbeing.
“We’re not just introducing a measurement tool,” said Dr. Obohwemu. “With the SCCS and SCCT, we are redefining how emotional resilience is understood and how psychological support is delivered.”
A Transformative Tool for Clinical and Everyday Use
The SCCS offers applications across mental health services, education, workplace wellness, and social care. It allows professionals to distinguish between adaptive and maladaptive self-comforting behaviours, supporting more tailored and culturally sensitive interventions for individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, or burnout.
The tool’s psychometric strength—backed by content and face validity—positions it as a valuable resource in both research and applied settings. Unlike broader instruments such as the Brief COPE or Self-Compassion Scale, the SCCS focuses specifically on the self-soothing domain, filling a long-standing gap in coping research.
Expanding Global Mental Health Research
The SCCS is currently undergoing further testing in diverse populations through international trials registered under ISRCTN12254719. Dr. Obohwemu emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural validation, noting that self-comforting behaviours are deeply shaped by cultural context and lived experience.
“The way people cope is personal—but also profoundly cultural. We want this tool to reflect that diversity, and to be truly global in its relevance and impact,” he added.
About Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu
Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu is a medical doctor, university lecturer, and mental health researcher based in the UK. A respected voice in psychological innovation and health education, he is recognized for his work in emotional regulation, public health, and psychometric scale development. His contributions continue to shape the future of mental health assessment and intervention, both in the UK and globally.
