Gender Gap in Mindfulness Assessment Among Italian Nurses: A Pilot Descriptive Study

"Purpose: The present study aimed to explore gender differences in the mindfulness tendency, specifically in the awareness and attention dimensions and also in the observing, describing, acting with awareness and accepting without judgement in Italian nurses. Methods: In June 2020 an on-line questionnaire was administered to nurses in order to analyze any differences both in the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS) according to gender variable. Findings: 200 questionnaires were collected. Findings showed significant higher MAAS total score in males than females (p=.004). Additionally, by considering the four sub dimensions in the Mindfulness tendency, females reported significant higher levels in some items of “Observe” (p=.004) and “Act with awareness” (p=.001) than males, while males reported significant higher scores in the “Accept without judgement” than females (p<.001). Conclusions: The present study was a pilot research on exploring gender differences in mindfulness in Italian nurses in order to hope that it will be only the beginning of empirical research on this topic and to better address future mindfulness training courses addressed to nurses by emphasizing certain aspects of mindfulness for females compared to males and vice versa."

A Network Analysis of the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)

Objectives The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is a popular self-report instrument for mindfulness assessment. However, several studies report mixed evidence regarding its reliability and validity. While recent replication studies have shown several issues regarding its latent structure, first-order facets seemed to replicate successfully. This study proposes an exploratory approach to these facets on an item level in one sample, with cross-validation in another sample. Methods Using a snowball sampling, 1008 participants were recruited in the first sample. Psychometric networks were applied to explore relations between items and item clusters. We compared these exploratory latent variable proposals with previous literature. A second sample of 1210 participants was collected from an FFMQ validation study, and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to cross-validate findings on the first sample. Results The FFMQ showed a positively correlated network. Exploratory analyses suggested the 5-facet structure as stable with alternatives of 4-facet (merging Observe and Non-Judging) and 6-facet (splitting Acting with Awareness in two) solutions. However, the CFAs in the second sample did not provide clear support to any solution. Conclusions The FFMQ showed unclear evidence on its latent structure. We propose researchers and users of the FFMQ to use the most fitting solution between the 5 and 6-facet solutions in their data, since the 4-facet solution is difficult to interpret. We also propose cautionary notes and guidelines for researchers and applied users of the FFMQ and regarding this instrument. We conclude that more research is needed in mindfulness assessment to provide robust measurements.

Validity Evidence of an Instrument for Mindfulness Assessment (MA) Based on its Internal Structure and External Criterion

Operationalizing the concept of mindfulness has been a challenge for researches. In this article, we present and discuss the procedures for the assessment of the internal structure and validity of the criteria for Mindfulness Assessment (MAP), as well as the results obtained. The collection of factors was done by exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and item- selection by item response theory (IRT). This study counted with 788 Brazilians, with ages ranging from 17 to 65 years (M = 26.11; SD = 9.59); 79% of which were women. Four factors were extracted: Mindfulness (α = 0.88), Attention (α = 0.84), Acceptance (α = 0.74) and Novelty seeking (α = 0.62). 47 items were retained in the MAP. We also compared the scores between non-meditator (n = 653) and meditator (n = 112) respondents. Analyses by IRT showed the items to be adequately adjusted. Significant differences between scores of meditators and non-meditator respondents were revealed. These findings suggest that the MAP is a valid and reliable instrument, regarding its internal structure and criterion-related evidence, which suggests its appropriateness in the study of adults.

A Psychometric Review and Conceptual Replication Study of the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Latent Structure

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.

A replication study of the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) latent structure

The Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is a popular tool in mindfulness research. However, some controversies are being upheld regarding its psychometric qualities and its replicability This study introduces novel evidence regarding two main issues: Firstly, questionable psychometric practices in validation studies confirmed previous concerns about the FFMQ’s properties. Secondly, a replication study using frequentist and bayesian techniques tested the structure of the FFMQ. The original structure did not provide a good fit with both techniques, while a proposed alternative provided mixed results. Systematic fit improvements were found in both techniques regarding the exclusion of the Observe facet and the inclusion of method factors. Therefore, a failed replication of the structure of the FFMQ was concluded. Alternatively, a new provisional FFMQ model was proposed. Future research proposals on improving techniques and models towards mindfulness assessment are presented and discussed.