Factor structure of the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (15 items) in a collectivist society—Pakistan

Abstract

AbstractDespite several theoretical, structural, and statistical issues reported against Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), most studies in the educational sector of Pakistan use it without analyzing its factor structure. Since culture might change the structure, this first systematic study filled the gap and explored the factor structure of the least researched FFMQ (15 items) among nonmeditator university students in collectivist society Pakistan while employing optimal statistical techniques. We interpreted our results culturally and also conducted a cross‐cultural examination with the Spanish sample. We employed polychoric data to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA extracted a four‐factor (10 items) solution without the Describe facet and showed good inter‐item correlation. The CFA exhibited a theory‐based two‐factor hierarchical model (self‐regulation, orient to experience) with good fit indices, acceptable factor loadings, correct directions, and strong reliabilities (coefficient H > 0.8). The multivariate analysis showed no difference in mindfulness between males and females, except for Nonreact. The first multigroup CFA (MGCFA) showed metric invariance while examining the polarity of items across gender. In cross‐cultural multivariate analysis, we found no difference in mindfulness between Pakistan and Spanish samples, except for Nonjudge, but the second MGCFA showed metric invariance in the correlated model only. Our data suggest that the two‐factor hierarchical structure, without Describe facet, provides a more parsimonious and culturally accepted structure among nonmeditators in Pakistan. However, due to the independent nature of the two factors, the total score cannot be computed. The FFMQ (15 items) appears individualistic, and including culturally acceptable items will improve its universality.