Development and Validation of the Single-Item Mindfulness Scale (SIMS)
Brian P Meier1, Sara Konrath2, Adam K Fetterman3
1Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, USA.
Journal of Personality Assessment
|December 8, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed and validated the Single-Item Mindfulness Scale (SIMS) for a quick assessment of trait mindfulness. This brief measure demonstrates reliability and validity, correlating well with established longer scales.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Trait mindfulness, the tendency to be aware of and accept present experiences, is typically measured using multi-item scales.
- Researchers often require brief assessments for practical constraints like time or participant burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a concise, single-item measure of trait mindfulness.
- To assess the reliability and validity of the Single-Item Mindfulness Scale (SIMS).
Main Methods:
- Eight studies were conducted with 3,125 adult and adolescent participants.
- Methodologies included cross-sectional, longitudinal, and daily diary designs.
- The Single-Item Mindfulness Scale (SIMS) was developed and its psychometric properties were examined.
Main Results:
- The SIMS demonstrated good reliability and validity.
- SIMS scores correlated significantly with established multi-item mindfulness measures (medium to large effect sizes).
- SIMS showed expected correlations with related psychological constructs like self-compassion, anxiety, and affect.
Conclusions:
- The Single-Item Mindfulness Scale (SIMS) is a reliable and valid brief measure of trait mindfulness.
- SIMS is recommended for situations where brevity is essential.
- While longer scales are preferred when feasible, SIMS offers a practical alternative.
