Abstract
The objective of the present study was to examine the dimensionality, reliability, and construct validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) in three Spanish samples using structural equation modeling (SEM). Pooling the FFMQ data from 3 Spanish samples (n = 1191), we estimated the fit of two competing models (correlated five-factor vs. bifactor) via confirmatory factor analysis. The factorial invariance of the best fitting model across meditative practice was also addressed. The pattern of relationships between the FFMQ latent dimensions and anxiety, depression, and distress was analyzed using SEM. FFMQ reliability was examined by computing the omega and omega hierarchical coefficients. The bifactor model, which accounted for the covariance among FFMQ items with regard to one general factor (mindfulness) and five orthogonal factors (observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judgment, and non-reactivity), fit the FFMQ structure better than the correlated five-factor model. The relationships between the latent variables and their manifest indicators were not invariant across the meditative experience. Observing items had significant loadings on the general mindfulness factor, but only in the meditator sub-sample. The SEM analysis revealed significant links between mindfulness and symptoms of depression and stress. When the general factor was partialled out, the acting with awareness facet did not show adequate reliability. The FFMQ shows a robust bifactor structure among Spanish individuals. Nevertheless, the Observing subscale does not seem to be adequate for assessing mindfulness in individuals without meditative experience.
Highlights
According to Kabat-Zinn (1994), “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Many philosophical and religious traditions teach that happiness is found by living in the moment, and practitioners are trained to resistBifactor analysis of the Spanish Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) mind-wandering and to “be here now.” In the last decade, there has been burgeoning interest in the effectiveness of mindfulnessbased therapies for a wide range of physical and mental conditions (Khoury et al, 2013)
The items with the lowest loadings on the general factor were from the Observing facet (M = 0.06, range = 0.01–0.15), with only two items reaching statistical significance, while the Non-judgment facet had loadings that were moderate to large (M = 0.54, range = 0.45-0.64)
It should be highlighted that the Observing specific factor had loadings that were all statistically significant and, with the exception of item 36, higher than 0.30 (M = 0.44, range = 0.18-0.64), which was in contrast to the aforementioned Observing item loadings onto the general factor
Summary
According to Kabat-Zinn (1994), “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Many philosophical and religious traditions teach that happiness is found by living in the moment, and practitioners are trained to resistBifactor analysis of the Spanish FFMQ mind-wandering and to “be here now.” In the last decade, there has been burgeoning interest in the effectiveness of mindfulnessbased therapies for a wide range of physical and mental conditions (Khoury et al, 2013). The rapid expansion of mindfulness in different contexts has created a need to design reliable self-report measures to assess whether such practice is associated with enhanced mindfulness capacity. Despite criticism from experts in the field (Grossman, 2011), these measures are a useful way to examine the mediational mechanisms and outcomes of mindfulnessbased therapies (Brown et al, 2011). Park et al (2013) appraised and summarized the quality of ten mindfulness instruments by reviewing 46 articles that contained 79 separate studies. The authors indicated that the methodological quality of the studies included in the review was mostly good (66%) or fair (26%) across psychometric properties; none of the evaluated instruments are currently recommended for assessing patient-reported outcomes
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