Abstract
Extending previous research, we applied latent profile analysis in a sample of adults with a history of recurrent depression to identify subgroups with distinct response profiles on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and understand how these relate to psychological functioning. The sample was randomly divided into two subsamples to first examine the optimal number of latent profiles (test sample; n = 343) and then validate the identified solution (validation sample; n = 340). In both test and validation samples, a four-profile solution was revealed where two profiles mapped broadly onto those previously identified in nonclinical samples: “high mindfulness” and “nonjudgmentally aware.” Two additional subgroups, “moderate mindfulness” and “very low mindfulness,” were observed. “High mindfulness” was associated with the most adaptive psychological functioning and “very low mindfulness” with the least adaptive. In most people with recurrent depression, mindfulness skills are expressed evenly across different domains. However, in a small minority a meaningful and replicable uneven profile indicating nonjudgmental awareness is observable. Current findings require replication and future research should examine the extent to which profiles change from periods of wellness to illness in people with recurrent depression and how profiles are influenced by exposure to mindfulness-based intervention.
Highlights
Mindfulness can be conceptualized as an innate psychological capacity which arises from the intentional direction of attention to present moment experience in a curious, nonjudgmental, and accepting way
The Bayesian information criterion (BIC) value was smallest for the four-profile model
Given that the BIC and bootstrapped likelihood ratio test (BLRT) have been found to be superior indicators of the number of profiles compared with other information criterion indices and likelihoodbased tests (Nylund et al, 2007), the four-profile model appeared to be the optimal solution for the current sample
Summary
Mindfulness can be conceptualized as an innate psychological capacity which arises from the intentional direction of attention to present moment experience in a curious, nonjudgmental, and accepting way. Many studies treat mindfulness as a unidimensional construct, these findings draw attention to the importance of considering both how the psychological skills that together comprise the overarching construct of mindfulness develop, relate to, and interact with one another and how they act independently and collectively to promote positive psychological states These issues can be considered either by examining the predictive value of the various FFMQ facets and their interactions in relation to external indicators of psychological functioning, or by examining the way in which different facets of mindfulness present themselves within individuals. Uneven profiles might be observed for some people, in some contexts, or at some times
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