Being Mindful with Discernment: Development and Validation of the Mindfulness-Discernment Scale (MDS)

Abstract Objectives The current definitions and conceptualizations of mindfulness, as well as the derived measurements based on them, are subject to much controversy and debate. The present study aimed to develop and validate a new mindfulness scale based on original Buddhist teachings—the Mindfulness-Discernment Scale (MDS).

Method: In the first study (for Step 1 Scale Construction and Step 2 Scale Validation), an operational definition of mindfulness based on Buddhist teachings and 48 items of mindfulness deriving from this definition were sent to Buddhist experts to establish content validity. Then, exploratory factor analysis (EFA; Sample 1, n = 500) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; Sample 2, n = 397) were performed to explore and confirm the factor structure of the MDS. Using the data from Sample 2, construct validity and incremental value of the MDS were investigated by Pearson zero-order correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses, respectively. In the second study (for Step 3 Scale Sensitivity to Change; n = 146), a half-day mindfulness retreat was conducted to test the sensitivity of the MDS to mindfulness practice.

Results: The results of Step 1 and Step 2 suggested a two-bifactor structure for the MDS which consists of 24 items in total. The MDS showed significant positive correlations with various secularized Buddhist-related constructs and mental health indicators and significant negative correlations with psychological distress indicators in general. The MDS also showed incremental value over the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale on mental health indicators and nonattachment. The results of Step 3 supported that the MDS is sensitive to mindfulness practice.

Conclusions: The present research highlighted the important role of discernment in the conceptualization of mindfulness and related practice, through facilitating the evaluation of mental states and recognizing what would be beneficial to well-being. Preregistration This study was not preregistered.