Psychometric Properties of the Short-Form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-15) in Medical Sciences Students: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study with Diagnostic Utility Analysis
Omid Parvizifard, Aliakbar Parvizifard, Aliakbar Forughi, Mohammad Mahdi Heidari
medRxiv October 15, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.64898/2026.10.14.26365572 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional psychometric validation study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 348 |
| Population | Medical sciences students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran (178 females, 170 males) |
| Measures | Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-15), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the five-factor structure of the FFMQ-15, with a culturally distinct item loading pattern, and the scale showed strong convergent and discriminant validity. ROC analysis indicated acceptable accuracy for distinguishing high- and low-worry groups (AUC = 0.72, 95% CI 0.66–0.78). The authors report cultural variability in the non-reactivity facet and argue that cross-cultural adaptation is essential. |
Abstract
Objective: Mindfulness is a robust predictor of mental health, yet the psychometric properties of the short-form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-15) have not been examined in Iranian populations. This study evaluated the psychometric properties, factor structure, and diagnostic utility of the FFMQ-15 among medical sciences students.
Participants: A total of 348 students (178 females, 170 males) from Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences participated.
Methods: Participants completed the FFMQ-15, Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, composite reliability, and ROC curve analysis.
Results: Both EFA and CFA supported the five-factor model, revealing a culturally unique item loading pattern. The FFMQ-15 demonstrated strong convergent and discriminant validity. ROC analysis indicated acceptable diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing high- and low-worry groups (AUC = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.66–0.78).
Conclusions: The FFMQ-15 demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties in Iranian medical students. The non-reactivity facet exhibited cultural variability, suggesting that cross-cultural adaptation is essential. The instrument shows promise for screening in high-stress educational settings.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- 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
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review February 1, 2018
- Examining the Factor Structure of the 39-Item and 15-Item Versions of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Before and After Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for People With Recurrent Depression Psychological Assessment April 14, 2016
and 3 more in the library