The Serenity of the Meditating Mind: A Cross-Cultural Psychometric Study on a Two-Factor Higher Order Structure of Mindfulness, Its Effects, and Mechanisms Related to Mental Health among Experienced Meditators

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110192
• Publication Date: 2014-10-20T21:13:58Z
• Authors: Ulrich S. Tran; Ausiàs Cebolla; Tobias M. Glück; Joaquim Soler; Javier Garcia-Cam...; Theresa von Moy
• Keywords: Adult; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Male; Adolescent; Psychometrics; Science; Emotions; Anxiety; 501010 Klinische Psychologie; Young Adult; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; Atenció; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Attention; Mental health and psychiatry; Buddhism; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Depression; Q; 05 social sciences; R; Middle Aged; 501010 Clinical psychology; 3. Good health; Meditation; Mental Health; Psychological stress; SDG 3 – Gesundheit und Wohlergehen; Medicine; Female; Mindfulness; Stress, Psychological; Research Article

Objective To investigate the psychometric and structural properties of Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) among meditators, to develop a short form, examine associations mindfulness with mental health mechanisms mindfulness. Methods Two independent samples were used, German (n = 891) Spanish 393) meditator sample, practicing various meditation styles. Structural FFMQ investigated multigroup confirmatory factor analysis exploratory equation modeling. Associations examined path analysis. Results The derived form broadly matched previous item selection in non-meditators. Self-regulated Attention Orientation Experience governed facets on higher-order level. Higher-order factors experience negatively associated symptoms depression anxiety, perceived stress. Decentering nonattachment most salient Aspects emotion regulation, bodily awareness, explained effects anxiety. Conclusions A two-component conceptualization for FFMQ, study as psychological construct, is recommended future research. Mechanisms need be intervention studies.