Factor Structure and Reliability of the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale for Adolescents and the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Anxiety in Adolescents
Hamid Mohsenabadi, Mohammad Javad Shabani, Zahra Zanjani
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences September 8, 2018 DOI: 10.5812/ijpbs.64097 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional psychometric study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 354 |
| Population | Students from Kashan city, Iran |
| Measures | Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale for Adolescents (MAAS-A), Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | The Persian MAAS-A showed a two-factor structure with good reliability (alpha = 0.81; four-week retest = 0.86) and a negative correlation with anxiety (r = -0.43), similar in females (r = -0.44) and males (r = -0.46). The authors conclude the scale is reliable and valuable for measuring mindfulness in adolescents and that increasing mindfulness reduces anxiety. |
Abstract
Background: In recent years, application and practice of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce adolescent psychological problems are increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to design and study tools that measure mindfulness and its effects.
Objectives: One of the available tools to measure mindfulness in adolescents is the mindfulness attention awareness scale for adolescents (MAAS-A). The current study aimed at examining the factor structure and reliability of a Persian version of this scale and investigating the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety.
Methods: The current descriptive, cross sectional and psychometric study was conducted on 354 students from Kashan city, Iran, selected via the cluster sampling method in 2017. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) by the principle component analysis method, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety were conducted to examine the validity of the MAAS-A. To calculate the reliability of the MAAS-A, Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability (four-week interval) were employed. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 19.0 and AMOS-22.
Results: The results of the EFA suggested two factors for this scale labeled as “acting with attention and awareness” and “attention to the present moment”. The CFA confirmed the two-factor model of the 14-item scale (the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) 90% confidence interval (CI) = 0.001 - 0.06). The reliability of this scale was good (α = 0.81, retest reliability = 0.86) and the correlation between mindfulness and anxiety was negative and significant (r = -0.43, P < 0.01). Also, this relationship was significant in females (r = -0.44, P < 0.01) and males (r = -0.46, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, the MAAS-A was a reliable and valuable scale to measure the mindfulness of adolescents. The results of correlation between mindfulness and anxiety meant that by increasing mindfulness, the anxiety reduced in adolescents.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The effects of mindfulness-based techniques on self-rumination, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression among patients with major depression: a nursing perspective. Journal of Research in Nursing August 1, 2024
- Desvenlafaxine with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduces Hamilton anxiety scores compared to escitalopram with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior March 1, 2025
- Male Prisoners- A Study on Attention, Present Focus, Awareness, Acceptance, Mindfulness & Anxiety among the adults International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews October 13, 2022
Cites 14
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
and 9 more in the library