ABSTRACT
Introducción. El uso clínico del mindfulness ha aumentado en los últimos años, y la Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) se ha convertido en uno de los instrumentos más empleados para su medida. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la eficacia del entrenamiento en mindfulness y las propiedades psicométricas de las puntuaciones de la MAAS en una muestra clínica mediante el modelo de Rasch. Métodos. Se seleccionaron 199 sujetos con sintomatología ansioso-depresiva. El grupo experimental (n = 103) recibió un entrenamiento grupal en mindfulness y el grupo control (n = 96) un tratamiento ambulatorio convencional con la misma duración. Se analizaron las puntuaciones pre y pos en la MAAS para valorar la eficacia del entrenamiento, las propiedades psicométricas de las puntuaciones y el funcionamiento diferencial de los ítems (DIF) usando el Modelo de Escalas de Calificación (MEC). Resultados. Los ítems 9 y 12 desajustaron, el ítem 9 mostró DIF, y se observaron problemas de traducción al castellano en los ítems 5, 9 y 12. Se decide repetir el análisis eliminándolos. Los resultados de la versión reducida MAAS-12 mostraron valores adecuados en dimensionalidad, ajuste y fiabilidad. Conclusiones. Contrariamente a los resultados de otros trabajos, la MAAS fue sensible al cambio producido por el entrenamiento. La versión habitualmente empleada presenta problemas métricos y de traducción y debe revisarse. La escala MAAS-12 es métricamente mejor que la habitualmente empleada, pero adolece de infrarrepresentación del constructo. Se recomienda construir instrumentos desde una perspectiva teórica coherente, de modo que todas las facetas del atributo se vean representadas (AU)
Introduction. The clinical use of mindfulness has increased recently, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) has become one of the most used tools to measure it. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of mindfulness training and analyzing the psychometric properties of the MAAS scores in a clinical sample using the Rasch Model. Methods. One hundred and ninety-nine participants with mood-anxiety clinical symptoms were recruited. The experimental group (n = 103) received mindfulness training, and the control group (n = 96) a conventional outpatient treatment for the same duration. The pre-post MAAS scores were analyzed to test the effectiveness of training, the psychometric properties of the scores, and differential item functioning (DIF) using the Rating Scale Model (RSM). Results. Misfit in items 9 and 12, DIF in item 9, and Spanish translation problems in the items 5, 9 and 12 were observed. The repetition of the analysis without these items was decided. Appropriate dimensionality, fit and reliability values were obtained with the short version, MAAS-12. Conclusions. Contrary to previous studies, the MAAS was sensitive to treatment-associated change. However, the commonly used MAAS has some translation and metric problems, and should be revised. MAAS-12 is a better scale than MAAS but suffers from construct under-representation. Constructing tools from a coherent theoretical perspective is suggested, so that all mindfulness facets are represented (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Psychometrics/methods , Psychometrics/trends , Anxiety/diagnosis , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/psychology , Psychometrics/instrumentation , Psychometrics/organization & administration , Data Analysis/methods , Analysis of Variance , Manifest Anxiety Scale/standards , Comorbidity , Reproducibility of Results/methods , Evaluation of the Efficacy-Effectiveness of Interventions , Comparative Effectiveness Research/methods , Comparative Effectiveness Research/trendsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The clinical use of mindfulness has increased recently, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) has become one of the most used tools to measure it. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of mindfulness training and analyzing the psychometric properties of the MAAS scores in a clinical sample using the Rasch Model. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-nine participants with mood-anxiety clinical symptoms were recruited. The experimental group (n=103) received mindfulness training, and the control group (n=96) a conventional outpatient treatment for the same duration. The pre-post MAAS scores were analyzed to test the effectiveness of training, the psychometric properties of the scores, and differential item functioning (DIF) using the Rating Scale Model (RSM). RESULTS: Misfit in items 9 and 12, DIF in item 9, and Spanish translation problems in the items 5, 9 and 12 were observed. The repetition of the analysis without these items was decided. Appropriate dimensionality, fit and reliability values were obtained with the short version, MAAS-12. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to previous studies, the MAAS was sensitive to treatment-associated change. However, the commonly used MAAS has some translation and metric problems, and should be revised. MAAS-12 is a better scale than MAAS but suffers from construct under-representation. Constructing tools from a coherent theoretical perspective is suggested, so that all mindfulness facets are represented.