The development and validation of mindfulness measurement in Thai buddhist employees

Abstract

There are several evidence proved that mindfulness can increase and improve many psychological and behavioral activities. The benefits of mindfulness get the interest of researchers to develop tools to measure mindfulness. Different types of tools have been continuously develop to measure basic to comprehensive levels.

The primary purpose of this study is to develop a valid and reliable tool to measure mindfulness in Thai Buddhist employees. The study also utilize this new tool to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and self-regulation whether mindfulness could help to increase the ability of self-regulation. Using a mixed methods study design, different types of validity evidence were gathered and investigated. Open ended questionnaire conducted with 15 Buddhist employees and literature review provided preliminary information of the psychometric properties of the mindfulness measure. Five experts evaluated the content and appropriateness of the mindfulness measure to Thai. A pilot-test administered in 100 employees and the final participants of the study were 509 Thai Buddhist employees in Thailand.

Results from the various dimensions of validity and reliability analyses showed that the 34 item-four-factor mindfulness measures were psychometrically sound and conceptually supported self-assessment of Thai Buddhist employees’ mindfulness. This study underscored a discrepancy of mindfulness between meditators and non-meditators. It was emphasized that meditators showed higher level of mindfulness.