Psychometric Properties of Adolescent and Adult Mindfulness Scale (AAMS)

Although different tools have been designed to measure mindfulness, none of these tools comprehensively examined the dimensions of mindfulness together. Moreover, they were related to a specific age group only. In response to this research gap, the Droutman et al.'s Mindfulness Scale (AAMS) is designed with 19 items to measure four dimensions of mindfulness for both groups of adolescents and adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties of Droutman et al.'s Mindfulness Scale in two groups of students.

The present study, in the form of a psychometric study, sought to investigate the validity and reliability of the Droutman et al.'s Mindfulness Scale. The study participants were 525 people (220 university students and 305 school students) who were studying in 1397-98 academic year and completed Droutman et al.'s Mindfulness Scale, Gilbert et al.'s Social safeness and pleasure scale, Keyes & Magyar-Moe Emotional well –being scale, and Kraaij & Garnefski behavioral emotion regulation questionnaire. The Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and confirmatory factor analysis.

The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four factors of attention and awareness, being non- reactive, being non-judgmental and being self- accepting. The results of correlation with other tests also confirmed the convergent validity of the scale. The Cronbach's alpha method was used to determine the reliability of the scale, with all coefficients indicating an acceptable internal consistency of the subscales and the total score of the scale.

The results show that the Droutman et al.'s mindfulness scale has a very good validity and reliability in Iranian university and school students, and It is effective in measuring mindfulness in the four dimensions mentioned. The results are based on research and theoretical evidence.