Mindfulness-Based Self-Efficacy Scale-Revised (MSES-R)

Abstract

The aim of mindfulness training in Buddhist teachings is to cultivate an objective appraisal of the nature of experiential phenomena to increase one’s understanding of the causes and maintenance of suffering. The Mindfulness-based Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES) was initially constructed to assess changes in perception of self-efficacy in clinical populations undertaking mindfulness training as part of therapy. The MSES-R is composed of 22 items and six factors (Emotional Regulation, Equanimity, Social Skills, Distress Tolerance, Taking Responsibility, and Interpersonal Effectiveness). For the past two decades, several clinical and nonclinical studies have reported that the MSES-R shows good sensitivity to change over the course of mindfulness-based therapy programs including in heterogenous clinical samples. Psychometric studies have demonstrated good validity and reliability of the MSES-R. A recent confirmatory factor analysis performed on two Australian samples, two Canadian samples, and one Australian university student sample indicated adequate fit across all samples, although factors containing fewer items had low reliability. The MSES-R displayed scalar measurement invariance between the clinical and community Australian samples, and across the Australian and Canadian samples. In this and other studies, community samples score significantly higher on the MSES-R than clinical samples. Respondents who regularly engaged in meditative or contemplative practices also score higher on the MSES-R than nonmeditators. The MSES-R is a useful mindfulness-based assessment tool to investigate the efficacy and outcomes of mindfulness-based programs implemented in both clinical and nonclinical settings.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Mindfulness-Based Self-Efficacy Scale-Revised (MSES-R)

Circle one number in the shaded column according to how much you now agree with each statement below, using the following scale:

Not at all 0

A little 1

Moderately 2

A lot 3

Completely 4

Try not to spend too much time on any one item. There are no right or wrong answers.

1.	I get easily overwhelmed by my emotions	0	1	2	3	4
2.	I find it difficult to make new friends	0	1	2	3	4
3.	I try to avoid uncomfortable situations even when they are really important	0	1	2	3	4
4.	When I feel very emotional, it takes a long time for it to pass	0	1	2	3	4
5.	I feel comfortable saying sorry when I feel I am in the wrong	0	1	2	3	4
6.	It is often too late when I realize I overreacted in a stressful situation	0	1	2	3	4
7.	I get so caught up in my thoughts that I end up feeling very sad or anxious	0	1	2	3	4
8.	When I have unpleasant feelings in my body, I prefer to push them away	0	1	2	3	4
9.	I can resolve problems easily with my partner (or best friend if single)	0	1	2	3	4
10.	I can face my thoughts, even if they are unpleasant	0	1	2	3	4
11.	My actions are often controlled by other people or circumstances	0	1	2	3	4
12.	I get caught up in unpleasant memories or anxious thoughts about the future	0	1	2	3	4
13.	I can deal with physical discomfort	0	1	2	3	4
14.	I feel I cannot love anyone	0	1	2	3	4
15.	I am often in conflict with one (or more) family member	0	1	2	3	4
16.	I avoid feeling my body when there is pain or other discomfort	0	1	2	3	4
17.	I do things that make me feel good straightaway even if I will feel bad later	0	1	2	3	4
18.	When I have a problem, I tend to believe it will ruin my whole life	0	1	2	3	4
19.	When I feel physical discomfort, I relax because I know it will pass	0	1	2	3	4
20.	I can feel comfortable around people	0	1	2	3	4
21.	Seeing or hearing someone with strong emotions is unbearable to me	0	1	2	3	4
22.	If I get angry or anxious, it is generally because of others	0	1	2	3	4

Appendix 2