Construction and Explorative Analysis of a German-Language Inventory for the Multidimensional Assessment ofMindfulness in Adolescents. the Mindfulness Youth Inventory (MindYou)

Abstract

Previous studies of intervention efficacy show that mindfulness interventions are appropriate preventions and interventions for adolescent mental health. Accordingly, mindfulness-based therapies are increasingly being used in practice. However, to date, the German-speaking world has lacked a diagnostic instrument for assessing mindfulness in adolescence. The present study aimed to design a valid, reliable, and sensitive German-language diagnostic instrument for the multidimensional assessment of mindfulness in adolescents which also considers the developmental characteristics of the target group. The sample consisted of N = 400 adolescents between 12 and 20 years. An exploratory factor analysis (principal axis factoring) with a subsequent second-order factor analysis resulted in a structure consisting of five factors with a higher-order factor. The factors are Present Moment Awareness, Acting with Awareness, Acceptance, Cognitive Nonreactivity, and Emotional Nonreactivity. We tested the factor structure on a second sample using confirmatory factor analyses (N = 317 adolescents, 162 girls). These first exploratory studies revealed associations between mindfulness and several problem behaviors (r between-.20 and-.49), prosocial behaviors (r =.10), and school success (r =.18), as expected. The subscales exhibited acceptable internal consistencies (α =.58-.75).