Despite several theoretical, structural, and statistical issues reported against Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), most studies in the educational sector of Pakistan use it without analyzing its factor structure. Since culture might change the structure, this first systematic study filled the gap and explored the factor structure of the least researched FFMQ (15 items) among nonmeditator university students in collectivist society Pakistan while employing optimal statistical techniques. We interpreted our results culturally and also conducted a cross‐cultural examination with the Spanish sample. We employed polychoric data to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA extracted a four‐factor (10 items) solution without the Describe facet and showed good inter‐item correlation. The CFA exhibited a theory‐based two‐factor hierarchical model (self‐regulation, orient to experience) with good fit indices, acceptable factor loadings, correct directions, and strong reliabilities (coefficient H > 0.8). The multivariate analysis showed no difference in mindfulness between males and females, except for Nonreact. The first multigroup CFA (MGCFA) showed metric invariance while examining the polarity of items across gender. In cross‐cultural multivariate analysis, we found no difference in mindfulness between Pakistan and Spanish samples, except for Nonjudge, but the second MGCFA showed metric invariance in the correlated model only. Our data suggest that the two‐factor hierarchical structure, without Describe facet, provides a more parsimonious and culturally accepted structure among nonmeditators in Pakistan. However, due to the independent nature of the two factors, the total score cannot be computed. The FFMQ (15 items) appears individualistic, and including culturally acceptable items will improve its universality.
Pakistan's education ministry correctly identified management problems in its latest policy but paid no attention to helping students improve their psychological mindset. It is necessary to develop programs to help children raise their psychological outlook to bear the rigors of 21st-century education. This study examined grit that has the potential to be part of any developmental program. In particular, we focused on examining the factor structure of the short grit scale among university students using optimal strategies. Additionally, we provided cultural interpretations of the results. Our EFA result on polychoric data (n=268) in the R program revealed a two-factor solution: consistency of interest (4 items) and perseverance (3 items). The mean interitem correlation reliability was within the range (.29 to .34), and ordinal alpha was significant (.65) in both dimensions. Further, the CFA on polychoric data (n=269) displayed good fit indices for a two-factor solution with high reliabilities for both dimensions (Coefficient H > .80). Our first MGCFA exhibited metric-level measurement invariance across gender. Similarly, the second MGCFA between groups (n=41) separated by 4.5 months displayed metric-level measurement invariance. The cultural interpretations of the results surmise that a two-factor solution exists among the sample students. However, these facets might act independently, and a high score on both dimensions might imply a gritty person. Though additional dimensions to define grit in collectivist societies have emerged, they require further validation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
334 Leonard St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.