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Trait Mindfulness Measures for Use with Adolescents: a Systematic Review

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Abstract

Effective means of measuring mindfulness are imperative for its use in a psychological context. Research examining the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in adults has grown along with the development of measures of single and multiple facets of trait mindfulness. While interest in the relationship between mindfulness and well-being in adolescents has also grown, there has been comparatively less attention paid to the development of measures of mindfulness that are suitable for adolescents. This review aims to identify instances in which trait mindfulness measures have been used with adolescent respondents, to describe the psychometric properties of these measures, and to determine their suitability for use with adolescents. All published trait mindfulness measures used with adolescents to date were reviewed, and internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity were evaluated. Measures were found, which have resulted in the reliable measurement of mindfulness in adolescents when it is treated as a uni-dimensional construct (i.e., a single trait). The measurement of mindfulness as a multi-faceted construct in adolescents was found to be currently limited by a lack of measures with supporting validity data in adolescent samples. An evaluation of readability and comprehensibility of items of all measures of trait mindfulness was undertaken in order to point to uni- and multi-dimensional measures with potential for use and development in adolescent populations. This review highlights the need for additional research focusing on reliable, well-validated multi-faceted measurement of mindfulness in adolescents.

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  1. Department of Psychology and Counselling, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, Australia

    Rebecca Pallozzi, Eleanor Wertheim, Susan Paxton & Ben Ong

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  1. Rebecca Pallozzi
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  2. Eleanor Wertheim
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Pallozzi, R., Wertheim, E., Paxton, S. et al. Trait Mindfulness Measures for Use with Adolescents: a Systematic Review. Mindfulness 8, 110–125 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0567-z

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