Validation of a Chinese version of the five facet mindfulness questionnaire and development of a short form based on item response theory

Associations between trait mindfulness and physical activity: the parallel mediating effect of exercise positive well-being and exercise psychological distress

OBJECTIVE

An increasing body of evidence suggests that exercise positive affect contribute to sustained engagement in physical activity, yet few studies have proposed intervention strategies targeting exercise affect. Currently, mindfulness is considered to have the potential to promote the improvement of exercise affect and physical activity. This study combines cross-sectional design and longitudinal design to explore the relationship between trait mindfulness and physical activity, and examines whether exercise positive well-being and exercise psychological distress mediate this relationship.

METHODS

At first, this study adopted a large sample cross-sectional design, and assessed the participants' trait mindfulness, exercise positive well-being, exercise psychological distress and physical activity through online self-report survey (n = 853, male = 54.7%; Mage = 19.16, SD = 0.97). Subsequently, a subset of participants from the cross-sectional study (n = 354, male = 52.8%; Mage = 19.21, SD = 0.86) were followed up for three months by longitudinal follow-up design, and the time relationships between these variables was examined.

RESULTS

In the cross-sectional survey, the results of the correlation analysis showed that trait mindfulness, exercise positive well-being, and physical activity were all significantly positively correlated, while psychological distress was negatively correlated with the other variables. Similar correlations were observed during longitudinal follow-up. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal mediation analyses indicated that exercise positive well-being and exercise psychological distress served as parallel mediators in the relationship between trait mindfulness and physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Exercise positive well-being and exercise psychological distress may serve as potential mechanisms through which trait mindfulness influences physical activity. This provides a theoretical basis and practical direction for future development of mindfulness-based interventions to promote physical activity.

Revision of the emotion and motivation self-regulation questionnaire in Chinese middle school students

This study aims to revise the emotion and motivation self-regulation questionnaire(EMSR-Q) and test its validity among Chinese middle school students. A total of 780 middle school students were selected for item analysis based on the classical test theory (CTT) and multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) respectively and exploratory factor analysis. 615 middle school students were selected for confirmatory factor analysis and criterion validity test. The full sample was used for the reliability test. The results show that the Chinese version of EMSR-Q retains 19 items. The Pearson correlation coefficients and the corrected item-total correlation coefficients between each item and the total score of each dimension are greater than 0.4. The independent sample t-test for high and low groups was significant. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis support the second-order second-factor model of the English version of EMSR-Q. There are significant positive correlations between the dimension of the Chinese version of EMSR-Q and the dimensions of the relevant scale (p < 0.01). The internal consistency reliability coefficient ranged from 0.671 to 0.861 and the split-half reliability coefficients ranged from 0.726 to 0.809. The discrimination and difficulty of the 19 items are good, with the discrimination coefficients α of the items greater than 1.177 and the difficulty coefficient β range of the five options is within [-3,3]. The results show that the revised Chinese version of EMSR-Q indicators meets the psychometric requirements and can be used to measure the structure and characteristics of Chinese middle school students' emotion and motivation self-regulation. It can explore the possible influence of emotion and motivation self-regulation on academic development, which provides an important research tool for promoting the intervention research of emotion and motivation self-regulation, with a broad prospect of educational application.

Effectiveness of an Internet-Based, Self-Guided, Short-Term Mindfulness Training (ISSMT) Program for Relieving Depressive Symptoms in the Adult Population in China: Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Depression is a significant global public health issue, and in China, access to mental health services remains limited despite high demand. Research has shown that mindfulness can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms and that telehealth solutions offer a promising avenue for addressing this service gap. Despite this potential, there are currently few studies in China focusing on short-term online mindfulness training. Most existing online mindfulness studies relied on traditional 8-week programs, which can be challenging for participant adherence due to limited accessibility and high dropout rates. Additionally, limited research exists on short-term online mindfulness interventions, and findings remain inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop and evaluate an internet-based, self-guided, short-term mindfulness training (ISSMT) program based on the Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT) to reduce depression symptoms.

METHODS

The ISSMT program was delivered via an online platform, "Hi Emotion," and was accessible to the general public. Interested individuals aged 18 years and older were randomized into either the ISSMT group or a wait-list control group. Participants in the ISSMT group received daily reminders to participate in a 15- to 20-minute session over a 14-day training period. Measurements, including mindfulness and depressive symptoms, were collected at baseline and weekly for the subsequent 3 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 205 adults participated in the 14-day online intervention. Linear mixed models were used to analyze both per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) samples. Compared with the wait-list control group, participants in the ISSMT group showed significant improvements in mindfulness (Cohen d=0.44 for ITT; Cohen d=0.55 for PP) and reductions in depressive symptoms (Cohen d=0.50 for ITT; Cohen d=0.53 for PP). Furthermore, participants expressed high acceptance of this training format with a relatively low dropout rate (<40%).

CONCLUSIONS

The ISSMT program based on the MAT effectively enhanced mindfulness and alleviated depressive symptoms. This intervention could be considered for integration into psychosocial service systems to improve mental health outcomes and help bridge the gap between limited resources and the high demand for services in China. Future research should focus on personalizing these programs and incorporating advanced technologies to enhance their effectiveness and user engagement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8P4V6.

Enhancing wellbeing among pre-service teachers through a mindfulness-based social and emotional learning curriculum: a quasi-experimental study in China

Background

Integrating mindfulness practices and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into teacher education can significantly enhance educators' wellbeing, resilience, and effectiveness. However, the cultural specificity of such interventions, particularly in the Chinese educational context, requires careful adaptation and examination.

Objective

This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a culturally adapted MBSEL curriculum for Chinese pre-service teachers. It investigates the program's effectiveness in improving mindfulness, self-compassion, and life satisfaction, contributing to the literature on integrating mindfulness and SEL in teacher education within a specific cultural setting.

Methods

Employing a quasi-experimental design, the study involved a sample of 41 Chinese pre-service teachers divided into an experimental group (n = 22) and a control group (n = 19). The MBSEL program's impact on participants' mindfulness, self-compassion, and life satisfaction was assessed using pre- and post-intervention measures.

Results

The results of repeated measures analyses of variance indicated significant improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, and life satisfaction among participants in the experimental group compared to the control group. These outcomes underscore the effectiveness of the culturally adapted MBSEL program in enhancing key aspects of pre-service teachers' wellbeing and professional readiness.

Discussion

The study demonstrates that a culturally adapted MBSEL curriculum effectively enhances mindfulness, self-compassion, and life satisfaction among Chinese pre-service teachers. This emphasizes the necessity of cultural sensitivity in developing mindfulness and SEL interventions for teacher education. Moreover, the success of the MBSEL program suggests its potential for global integration, urging policymakers and educators to prioritize culturally tailored approaches to enhance teacher wellbeing and educational outcomes.

A Multi- Mediation Analysis on the Impact of Social Media and Internet Addiction on University and High School Students' Mental Health Through Social Capital and Mindfulness

INTRODUCTION

Social media addiction (SMA) and internet addiction (IA) are increasingly prevalent, impacting mental health (MH) globally. This study investigates the mediating roles of mindfulness and social capital (SC) in the relationship between SMA, IA, and MH among Ethiopian high school and university students, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 of good health and well-being.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1160 university and 1473 high school students in Dessie, Ethiopia. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing SMA, IA, mindfulness, SC, and MH. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with a multi- mediation Model (SMM) was used to examine the hypothesized relationships.

RESULTS

SEM revealed that both SMA and IA had a direct negative effect on mindfulness, SC, and MH in in both high school and university students. Notably, mindfulness and SC significantly and positively predicted MH, indicating their protective role against the negative effects of SMA and IA. Furthermore, both mindfulness or SC fully or partially mediated the relationship between SMA, IA, and MH, highlighting their crucial role in explaining the association.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence for the crucial roles of mindfulness and SC in buffering the negative effects of SMA and IA on MH among Ethiopian students. The findings highlight the need for educational and health interventions that foster mindfulness and SC to enhance student mental health and promote a healthy digital environment. These results offer valuable insights for educators, health professionals, and policymakers in Ethiopia and other developing countries facing similar challenges.

Can heart rate variability demonstrate progression of mindfulness through two-week repeated practice?

Mindfulness could benefit on mental and physical health. Through repeated practice, progression of mindfulness could be found. Except for self-report questionnaires, heart rate variability (HRV) is a potential biomarker to demonstrate the effects of mindfulness. However, few studies focus on the changes in HRV which may vary through repeated practice. This study aims to explore whether HRV could demonstrate progression of mindfulness through repeated practice. 20 experienced practitioners and 26 novices were enrolled to practice two-week mindfulness and completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire pre and post the training. ECG signals were collected by holter monitors, covering baseline to training and 9 HRV metrics were extracted. The results indicate that the experienced group showed significantly increased parasympathetic activity during mindfulness training and the effects were stable through repeated practice, while the novice group showed high cognitive load, with inconspicuous but probably progressive effects. The findings indicate that HRV could demonstrate progression of mindfulness through repeated practice, suggesting the possibility of assessing mindfulness based on HRV.

The Relationship among Internet Addiction, Moral Potency, Mindfulness, and Psychological Capital

This research aimed to contribute to the literature on internet addiction (IA) and moral development among university students. Moral potency (MP) encompasses the interconnected dimensions of moral courage, moral ownership, and moral efficacy. Studies on the relationships between students' problematic behaviors (e.g., IA) and cognitive processes like MP, mindfulness (MI), and psychological capital (PsyCap) are scarce in educational research. Therefore, this study investigated the relationships among IA, MP, MI, and PsyCap in university students. This study included 868 undergraduate students from a state university in Ethiopia, with 526 male students (60.6%) and 342 female students (39.4%). Participants' ages ranged from 21 to 29 years, with a mean age of 22.31 and a standard deviation of 4.03. The findings indicated that IA was negatively correlated with MI, PsyCap, and MP. Both MI and PsyCap showed positive correlations with MP. Importantly, this study revealed that IA had a direct and negative impact on MI, PsyCap, and MP. Further, MI and PsyCap partially mediated and fully mediated the relationship between IA and MP. These findings suggest that cultivating MI and positive PsyCap among university students could be an important strategy to reduce the risks of IA and enhance their moral development. This study contributes to the limited research on the complex relationships between technology use, psychological resources, and moral functioning in emerging adulthood.

Age and sex-specific differences of mindfulness traits with measurement invariance controlled in Chinese adult population: A pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationships of age and sex with mindfulness traits among Chinese adults with controlling for measurement invariance.

METHODS

A total of 1777 participants completing the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire were included for analysis. Their age and sex information were also collected. Descriptive analysis, Pearson's Chi-Square test and analysis of variance were performed to test the age- and sex-specific differences, measurement invariance was examined by confirmatory factor analysis.

RESULTS

Excellent data fit to the model indicated configural, metric, and scalar invariance across age and sex. Participants aged 60 or above scored significantly higher in dimensions of acting with awareness, nonjudging of inner experience, nonreactivity to inner experience, and the total scores than younger individuals, who had higher scores in the observing domain. In addition, females scored higher in describing and observing than males, while the latter had higher score in nonreactivity to inner experience.

CONCLUSIONS

The Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Mindfulness showed acceptable measurement invariance across age and sex in Chinese adult population. The old and the young differs in the traits of awareness, observing, nonjudging of inner experience, nonreactivity to inner experience and the total mindfulness level, while males and females varied in describing, observing and nonreactivity to inner experience. Individual differences should be considered and well addressed in future studies on mindfulness.

Indulging in Smartphones in Times of Stress: A Moderated Mediation Model of Experiential Avoidance and Trait Mindfulness

Although previous studies have shown that perceived stress is positively related to problematic smartphone use, knowledge of mediating and moderating mechanisms underpinning this relationship is quite limited. In this study, we explored whether experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between perceived stress and problematic smartphone use and whether trait mindfulness moderated this mediating process. A total of 763 Chinese college students completed the measures of perceived stress, experiential avoidance, problematic smartphone use, and trait mindfulness. The results indicate that perceived stress was positively related to problematic smartphone use and this relation was partially mediated by experiential avoidance. Furthermore, moderated mediation analysis showed that trait mindfulness moderated the linkage between perceived stress and problematic smartphone use via experiential avoidance. This link became weaker for college students with higher levels of trait mindfulness. The results highlight the value of identifying the underlying mechanisms between perceived stress and college students' problematic smartphone use.

Indulging in Smartphones in Times of Stress: A Moderated Mediation Model of Experiential Avoidance and Trait Mindfulness

Although previous studies have shown that perceived stress is positively related to problematic smartphone use, knowledge of mediating and moderating mechanisms underpinning this relationship is quite limited. In this study, we explored whether experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between perceived stress and problematic smartphone use and whether trait mindfulness moderated this mediating process. A total of 763 Chinese college students completed the measures of perceived stress, experiential avoidance, problematic smartphone use, and trait mindfulness. The results indicate that perceived stress was positively related to problematic smartphone use and this relation was partially mediated by experiential avoidance. Furthermore, moderated mediation analysis showed that trait mindfulness moderated the linkage between perceived stress and problematic smartphone use via experiential avoidance. This link became weaker for college students with higher levels of trait mindfulness. The results highlight the value of identifying the underlying mechanisms between perceived stress and college students’ problematic smartphone use.

The Validity and Reliability of the Short Form of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Japan

Background

A brief measure of dispositional mindfulness is important for applied research on mindfulness. Although short forms of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), which measures the five aspects of mindfulness (i.e., observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reactivity), have been developed worldwide, the validity and reliability of the Japanese version has not been examined. This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of the 24-item and 15-item versions of the FFMQ in Japan, which are the most widely used versions worldwide.

Methods

Online surveys were conducted for 889 adults in Japan through an online survey company using self-reported questionnaires including the FFMQ to confirm the factor structure and validity. To examine construct validity, we examined the relationship between the short form of FFMQ and mind wandering, interoceptive awareness, experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, openness, neuroticism, self-compassion, depression, and anxiety, which have been theoretically or empirically shown to be related to mindfulness. In addition, 137 adults responded to the FFMQ again, after four weeks, for the test-retest reliability.

Results

The correlated five-factor and four-factor (excluding observing) models and the higher-order factor hierarchical model did not show sufficient goodness of fit, while the 24-item version showed acceptable fit when uncorrelated method factors loaded on by the positive and negative (reverse-scored) items were added. However, the 15-item version did not show acceptable fits for any of the models. Regarding reliability, the 24-item version showed acceptable values. In terms of the relationship between the original and the shortened version of the FFMQ, the 24-item version shared approximately 80% of the variance with the original one. In addition, although the wording effects of positive and negative items seemed to affect the correlations between the FFMQ and the other scales, the associations with related concepts were as predicted generally, supporting the construct validity of the short form of the FFMQ.

Conclusion

In Japan, the 24-item version of FFMQ showed acceptable validity and reliability similar to the original version, and we recommend that the 24-item version be used.