Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples
Ruth A. Baer, Gregory T. Smith, Emily L. B. Lykins, Daniel Button, Jennifer Krietemeyer, Shannon Sauer, Erin C. Walsh, Danielle S. Duggan, J. Mark G. Williams
Assessment February 29, 2008 DOI: 10.1177/1073191107313003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 2,933 |
| Key findings | Most mindfulness facets were significantly related to meditation experience and to psychological symptoms and well-being, and several facets independently predicted well-being and mediated the relationship between meditation experience and well-being. |
Abstract
Previous research on assessment of mindfulness by self-report suggests that it may include five component skills: observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging of inner experience, and nonreactivity to inner experience. These elements of mindfulness can be measured with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). The authors investigated several aspects of the construct validity of the FFMQ in experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups. Consistent with predictions, most mindfulness facets were significantly related to meditation experience and to psychological symptoms and well-being. As expected, relationships between the observing facet and psychological adjustment varied with meditation experience. Regression and mediation analyses showed that several of the facets contributed independently to the prediction of well-being and significantly mediated the relationship between meditation experience and well-being. Findings support the construct validity of the FFMQ in a combination of samples not previously investigated.