Factor Structure and Reliability of the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale for Adolescents and the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Anxiety in Adolescents

Abstract

Background: In recent years, application and practice of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce adolescent psychological problems are increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to design and study tools that measure mindfulness and its effects. Objectives: One of the available tools to measure mindfulness in adolescents is the mindfulness attention awareness scale for adolescents (MAAS-A). The current study aimed at examining the factor structure and reliability of a Persian version of this scale and investigating the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety. Methods: The current descriptive, cross sectional and psychometric study was conducted on 354 students from Kashan city, Iran, selected via the cluster sampling method in 2017. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) by the principle component analysis method, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety were conducted to examine the validity of the MAAS-A. To calculate the reliability of the MAAS-A, Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability (four-week interval) were employed. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 19.0 and AMOS-22. Results: The results of the EFA suggested two factors for this scale labeled as "acting with attention and awareness" and "attention to the present moment". The CFA confirmed the two-factor model of the 14-item scale (the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) 90% confidence interval (CI) = 0.001-0.06). The reliability of this scale was good (α = 0.81, retest reliability = 0.86) and the correlation between mindfulness and anxiety was negative and significant (r =-0.43, P < 0.01). Also, this relationship was significant in females (r =-0.44, P < 0.01) and males (r =-0.46, P < 0.01). Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, the MAAS-A was a reliable and valuable scale to measure the mindfulness of adolescents. The results of correlation between mindfulness and anxiety meant that by increasing mindfulness, the anxiety reduced in adolescents.

Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…It is noteworthy to mention that mindfulness leads to acceptance of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without any judgments as well as a widespread awareness of them ( 48 , 49 ). Individuals can also become aware of their ruminations over the past and the future through mindfulness-based practices.…”

“…Individuals can also become aware of their ruminations over the past and the future through mindfulness-based practices. Using this insight, they gain control over their own thoughts, feelings, and sensations, and also become free from the automatic focus on the past and the future ( 49 ). Patients with cancer can consequently feel relaxed through meditation as a basic technique in MBCT.…”

Using Mindful Attention Awareness Scale on male prisoners: Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch models

“…As comparing with prior studies on MAAS psychometric properties [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 29 , 30 ], our results share similar CFA results, which indicate that the MAAS is valid in a one-factor structure. However, a previous Iran study showed that the Persian MAAS has a two-factor structure [ 32 ]. A possible reason for the different structure findings may be due to the studied samples.…”

“…A possible reason for the different structure findings may be due to the studied samples. Mohsenabadi et al [ 32 ] examined the psychometric properties of the MAAS on a sample of adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years. On the other hand, prior studies showing the one-factor structure of MAAS examined its psychometric properties on young adults (e.g., university students) [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…All the items are rated on a 6-point Likert-type scale and a summated score can be computed for the MAAS total score, where a higher score indicates a higher level of mindfulness. The MAAS has been translated into different languages with promising psychometric properties [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 29 , 30 ], including Persian versions [ 31 , 32 ]. Moreover, the internal consistency of the MAAS was adequate (Cronbach’s α = 0.878; McDonalds’ ω = 0.879).…”