Journal article
Assessing Mindfulness: Experimental Support for the Discriminant Validity of Breath Counting as a Measure of Mindfulness but Not Self-Report Questionnaires
Psychological Assessment, Vol.32(12), pp.1184-1190
2020
Abstract
The current study sought to examine the discriminant validity of 3 commonly used measures of mindfulness. The discriminative ability of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and a breath counting task (BCT) was assessed in a randomized control trial involving an 8-week mindfulness training (MT) condition (n 53) and an active control computerized attention training (CT) program (n 33). No evidence to support the discriminant validity of MAAS or FFMQ scores was found, as these self-report measures responded to both the MT and CT conditions. Breath counting scores however demonstrated unique responsiveness to the MT program, suggesting this behavioral task may be useful in measuring changes in mindfulness as it closely resembles core cognitive processes trained during this practice. Implications of these findings for the construct validity of both self-report and behavioral measures of mindfulness are discussed, along with the suitability of current mindfulness-based interventions in studies aiming to assess mindfulness outcomes. Public Significance Statement The current study finds that behavioral breath counting tasks are more accurate measures of mindfulness than self-report questionnaires. Self-report measures are responsive to nonmindfulness factors, and thus are not suitable as accurate measures of mindfulness.
Details
- Title
- Assessing Mindfulness: Experimental Support for the Discriminant Validity of Breath Counting as a Measure of Mindfulness but Not Self-Report Questionnaires
- Authors
- Ben Isbel (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteKayla Stefanidis (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteMathew Summers (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
- Publication details
- Psychological Assessment, Vol.32(12), pp.1184-1190
- Publisher
- American Psychological Association
- DOI
- 10.1037/pas0000957
- ISSN
- 1939-134X
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Law and Society; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; Thompson Institute; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health; School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99492508702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Psychology, Clinical
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