The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale: Further Examination of Dimensionality, Reliability, and Concurrent Validity...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychometrics
• Mindfulness Research

Background:

• The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is a widely used measure of dispositional mindfulness.
• Evaluating the psychometric properties and factor structure of the MAAS is crucial for its accurate application.
• The need for concise mindfulness measures in research settings is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the 15-item Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).
• To develop and validate a short-form version of the MAAS.
• To assess the utility of the short-form MAAS in understanding the mindfulness construct.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate the factor structure.
• Item Response Theory (IRT)-based differential item functioning (DIF) analysis was employed to assess item bias.
• A 5-item short version was developed based on item analysis, and its reliability and validity were examined.

Main Results:

• Both EFA and CFA supported a unidimensional factor structure for the 15-item MAAS.
• IRT-based DIF analysis indicated no significant differences in item response based on nonattachment levels.
• The proposed 5-item short version demonstrated strong psychometric properties, comparable reliability, and validity to the full scale.

Conclusions:

• The 15-item MAAS exhibits a robust unidimensional structure.
• A 5-item short version of the MAAS is a psychometrically sound and efficient alternative for assessing mindfulness.
• The short-form MAAS is a valuable tool for research, offering comparable utility to the original scale.