The Applied Mindfulness Process Scale (AMPS): A process measure for evaluating mindfulness-based interventions

Abstract

Objective Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) include the application of meditation and mind-body practices used to promote mindful awareness in daily life. Operationalizing the construct of mindfulness is important in order to determine mechanisms of therapeutic change elicited by mindfulness practice. In addition to existing state and trait measures of mindfulness, process measures are needed to assess the ways in which individuals apply mindfulness in the context of their practice. Method This report details three independent studies (qualitative interview, N = 8; scale validation, N = 134; and replication study, N = 180) and the mixed qualitative-quantitative methodology used to develop and validate the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale (AMPS), a 15-item process measure designed to quantify how mindfulness practitioners actively use mindfulness to remediate psychological suffering in their daily lives. Results In Study 1, cognitive interviewing yielded a readily comprehensible and accessible scale of 15 items. In Study 2, exploratory factor analysis derived a potential three-factor solution: decentering, positive emotion regulation, and negative emotion regulation. In Study 3, confirmatory factor analysis verified better model fit with the three-factor structure over the one-factor structure. Conclusions AMPS functions as a measure to quantify the application of mindfulness and processes of change in the context of MBIs and general mindfulness practice.

When Traits Match States: Examining the Associations Between Self-Report Trait and State Mindfulness Following a State Mindfulness Induction

“…Overall, the small effect size association between trait and state mindfulness identified in the current study is a difficult problem for MBI research. Measures that are specific to the acquisition of mindfulness skills (e.g., the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale; Li, Black, & Garland, 2016) may be more useful in evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of MBIs than the more general measures of trait and state mindfulness used in the current study. Taken together, additional research is needed to determine how to best match MBIs to effectively cultivate mindfulness.…”

The Therapy Process Questionnaire ‐ Factor analysis and psychometric properties of a multidimensional self‐rating scale for high‐frequency monitoring of psychotherapeutic processes

“…A measure that was introduced by Mander et al () combines the items of the SACiP and the STA‐R to a further instrument, the Individual Therapy Process Questionnaire. There are also scales that focus on specific constructs or specific types of interventions, such as the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale (Li, Black, & Garland, ).…”

Mindfulness-Based Intervention for People With Dementia and Their Partners: Results of a Mixed-Methods Study

“…Future research might look into other options than retrospective questionnaires, such as experience sampling methodology to get more insight into individual processes (van Os et al, 2017). Moreover, other questionnaires, such as the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale might be useful to get insight into how participants use their mindfulness practice to deal with negative or stressful events in daily lives (Li et al, 2016).…”