Abstract
The factor structure and psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for Adolescents
(MAAS-A) was studied in a sample of adolescents (n = 717; age range, 11–17 years) of the general population. The MAAS-A and other questionnaires measuring other constructs
were administered in high schools across the Netherlands. A one-factor structure was demonstrated using principal component
analysis and was further confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The MAAS-A was shown to have high internal consistency.
Expected negative correlations between mindfulness and self-reported stress and emotion regulation strategies such as rumination
and catastrophizing were found. Further, mindfulness was positively correlated with happiness, healthy self-regulation, and
with another recently developed measure of mindfulness in children and adolescents, the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure.
Mindfulness as measured by the MAAS-A correlated positively with quality of life, but an expected positive relationship with
acceptance was not found. Interestingly, adolescents without meditation experience scored higher on the MAAS-A than adolescents
without this experience. Further, adolescents with chronic disorders scored lower on the MAAS-A than adolescents without these
disorders. Overall, this study has shown evidence of the first valid and reliable Dutch measure of mindfulness for adolescents.
The factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent and divergent validity as well as their relationship to quality
of life are comparable to the original MAAS-A.
(MAAS-A) was studied in a sample of adolescents (n = 717; age range, 11–17 years) of the general population. The MAAS-A and other questionnaires measuring other constructs
were administered in high schools across the Netherlands. A one-factor structure was demonstrated using principal component
analysis and was further confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The MAAS-A was shown to have high internal consistency.
Expected negative correlations between mindfulness and self-reported stress and emotion regulation strategies such as rumination
and catastrophizing were found. Further, mindfulness was positively correlated with happiness, healthy self-regulation, and
with another recently developed measure of mindfulness in children and adolescents, the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure.
Mindfulness as measured by the MAAS-A correlated positively with quality of life, but an expected positive relationship with
acceptance was not found. Interestingly, adolescents without meditation experience scored higher on the MAAS-A than adolescents
without this experience. Further, adolescents with chronic disorders scored lower on the MAAS-A than adolescents without these
disorders. Overall, this study has shown evidence of the first valid and reliable Dutch measure of mindfulness for adolescents.
The factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent and divergent validity as well as their relationship to quality
of life are comparable to the original MAAS-A.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s12671-011-0061-6
- Authors
- Esther I. de Bruin, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Bonne J. H. Zijlstra, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Eva van de Weijer-Bergsma, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Susan M. Bögels, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Journal Mindfulness
- Online ISSN 1868-8535
- Print ISSN 1868-8527