Development and Interethnic Validation of the Mindful Self-Care Scale, Version 2.0—Eight Mindful Self-Care Factors and Their Relationship to Present Moment-Centeredness
Catherine Cook‐Cottone, Jason T. Hotchkiss, Wendy Guyker, Ming Yu Claudia Wong
Mindfulness September 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02670-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10,257 |
| Population | Self-report sample of 10,257 participants, with an ethnically balanced subsample of 5,242 (American Indian n=90, Asian n=1,199, African American n=1,049, Latino n=1,009, White n=1,198, other n=697) |
| Measures | Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS), Trait Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale (MAAS-T), State Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale (MAAS-S) |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | The revised eight-factor Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS 2.0) showed good fit and each factor predicted present-moment centeredness, with stronger relationships to state mindfulness than to trait mindfulness. Supportive structure, mindful awareness, self-compassion, and mind-body practice were the strongest predictors, while the remaining factors were indirect predictors. The authors argue that mindful self-care facilitates present-moment engagement as an achieved state. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives This study developed and interethnically validated the Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS), revision (MSCS 2.0), by exploring the relationship between practiced mindfulness, assessed by the MSCS, and present-moment centeredness, measured by the Trait and State Mindful Awareness and Attention Scales (MAAS-T and MAAS-S).
Method: In this cross-sectional survey using a self-report sample of 10,257 participants, an ethnically-balanced sample ( n = 5,242) was generated. The representative sample included American Indian ( n = 90), Asian ( n = 1,199), African American ( n = 1,049), Latino ( n = 1,009), White ( n = 1,198), and other ( n = 697).
Results: The eight-factor MSCS 2.0 met excellent fit criteria and showed strong relationships with Trait and State MAAS. Individually, each factor predicted present-moment centeredness. The bivariate correlations and structural relationships of the practiced mindfulness (MSCS) factors to state mindfulness was stronger than their relationships to trait mindfulness.
Conclusions: The revised eight-factor MSCS provided increased validity and widened factor scope in an ethnically-balanced sample. Increased mindful self-care behaviors resulted in elevated present-moment centeredness. Supportive structure, mindful awareness, self-compassion, and mind–body practice were the strongest predictors of present-moment centeredness. The remaining mindful self-care factors were all indirect predictors. The practice of mindful self-care facilitates more present moment engagement, as an achieved state. Future research should examine the frequency of practice required to bring about more persistent change at the trait level.