Assessment of mindfulness by self-report: the Kentucky inventory of mindfulness skills

Assessment. 2004 Sep;11(3):191-206. doi: 10.1177/1073191104268029.

Abstract

A self-report inventory for the assessment of mindfulness skills was developed, and its psychometric characteristics and relationships with other constructs were examined. Participants included three samples of undergraduate students and a sample of outpatients with borderline personality disorder Based on discussions of mindfulness in the current literature, four mindfulness skills were specified: observing, describing, acting with awareness, and accepting without judgment. Scales designed to measure each skill were developed and evaluated. Results showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability and a clear factor structure. Most expected relationships with other constructs were significant. Findings suggest that mindfulness skills are differentially related to aspects of personality and mental health, including neuroticism, psychological symptoms, emotional intelligence, alexithymia, experiential avoidance, dissociation, and absorption.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Affective Symptoms / epidemiology
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Attitude*
  • Dissociative Disorders / epidemiology
  • Dissociative Disorders / psychology
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurotic Disorders / epidemiology
  • Neurotic Disorders / psychology
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Personality Disorders / psychology
  • Psychometrics
  • Social Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*