Abstract
The field of mindfulness has seen a proliferation of psychometric measures, characterised by differences in operationalisation and conceptualisation. To illuminate the scope of, and offer insights into, the diversity apparent in the burgeoning literature, two distinct samples were used to examine the similarities, validity, and dimensionality of mindfulness facets and subscales across three independent measures: the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS), and Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS). Results revealed problematic associations of FFMQ Observe with the other FFMQ facets and supported a four-factor structure (omitting this facet), while disputing the originally envisaged five-factor model; thus, solidifying a pattern in the literature. Results also confirmed the bidimensional nature of the PHLMS and TMS subscales, respectively. A joint Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that PHLMS Acceptance could be assimilated within the FFMQ’s four-factor model (as a distinct factor). The study offers a way of understanding interrelationships between the available mindfulness scales, so as to help practitioners and researchers make a more informed choice when conceptualising and operationalising mindfulness.
Highlights
Mindfulness, which can be very broadly understood as living in, and accepting, the present moment non-judgmentally, as opposed to being preoccupied [1,2,3], has generated a great deal of interest in applied and academic psychology
Correlations among the five Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) facets included an atheoretical pattern of associations between the Observe facet and two other facets (Act with Awareness and Accept without Judgment), which were negative in Sample 1 and non-significant in Sample 2
These results fit the general pattern of non-significant or even negative associations between FFMQ Observe and some of the other FFMQ facets seen in the literature [18,19,26,32,33,34]
Summary
Mindfulness, which can be very broadly understood as living in, and accepting, the present moment non-judgmentally, as opposed to being preoccupied [1,2,3], has generated a great deal of interest in applied and academic psychology. It has led new approaches to treating mental illness and developing well-being [4,5]. The concept has extended beyond its clinical applications to a focus on individual differences. This interest is evident in the recent spurt in psychometric research and proliferation of scales occurring in the past 10 to 15 years. Most of these scales focus on dispositional, or trait, mindfulness (average or baseline states of mindfulness), rather than state mindfulness, or the particular mindful state at the time of measurement [2,6,7]. As described eight measures have been salient in the literature [6], newer ones are emerging [8,9]
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