A Psychometric Review and Conceptual Replication Study of the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Latent Structure.
Óscar Lecuona, Eduardo García-Garzón, Carlos García-rubio, Raquel Rodríguez‐carvajal
Assessment October 14, 2019 DOI: 10.1177/1073191119873718 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Psychometric review and conceptual replication Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Bayes theorem Reproducibility of results Psychometrics Surveys and questionnaires Replication Confirmatory factor analysis Ffmq |
| Key findings | The original FFMQ latent structure did not provide a good fit under frequentist or Bayesian techniques, and a proposed alternative gave mixed results; fit improved when the Observe facet was excluded and method factors were included. The authors conclude that the conceptual replication of the FFMQ's structure failed and propose a provisional new model. |
Abstract
The Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is a popular tool in mindfulness research. However, its psychometric qualities and its replicability have caused controversy. This study carried out a psychometric review and a conceptual replication of the FFMQ latent structure. The review showed that previous validation studies of the FFMQ used nonoptimal methods. In addition, this conceptual replication study tested the structure of the FFMQ using frequentist and Bayesian techniques. The original structure did not provide a good fit with both techniques, while the proposed alternative provided mixed results. We also found systematic fit improvements in both techniques when the Observe facet was excluded and method factors were included. With these findings, we conclude that the conceptual replication of the FFMQ's structure failed. Alternatively, we propose a new provisional FFMQ model with a set of recommendations regarding its application. Future research proposals on improving techniques and models toward mindfulness assessment are also presented and discussed.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- The associations and effects of mindfulness on anger and aggression: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review June 1, 2025
- The Toronto Mindfulness Scale and the State Mindfulness Scale: psychometric properties of the Spanish versions. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- The psychometric properties of the Vietnamese Version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire BMC Psychology December 12, 2022
- Meditative State Scale (MSS): Psychometric Validation and Exploration of Gamma-Band Correlates Mindfulness September 27, 2022
- Development and Initial Validation of the State Four Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Assessment March 31, 2025
and 10 more in the library
Cites 10
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Does the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire measure what we think it does? Construct validity evidence from an active controlled randomized clinical trial. Psychological Assessment October 13, 2015
and 5 more in the library