Psychometric assessment of a Chinese version of a mindfulness practice quality measurement tool.

Background: Mindfulness training is increasingly popular in China. The challenge of evaluating mindfulness practice objectively and accurately has attracted research attention. However, previous studies in China focused primarily on the quantity rather than the quality of mindfulness training. The Practice Quality - Mindfulness (PQ-M) can provide a solution. Consequently, the present study aimed to validate and assess the internal consistency and construct validity of the Chinese version of the Practice Quality - Mindfulness (Ch-PQ-M) in a non-clinical sample.

Methods: One hundred and sixty participants (female:81) were recruited to practice 20 min of mindfulness training daily for four consecutive days and to complete the Ch-PQ-M, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the Peace of Mind Scale immediately after each mindfulness practice. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale were administered pre- and post- 4-day treatment. Construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis), internal consistency, test-retest reliability, predictive validity and construct validity were examined.

Results: Ch-PQ-M demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the established two-factor model (perseverance and receptivity). The Ch-PQ-M attention score was significantly associated with changes of trait anxiety. It improved with short-term mindfulness practice. The perseverance score consistently correlates with scores on peace of mind, state anxiety, trait anxiety, and observe and nonreactivity. The receptivity score remains consistently correlated with the nonjudging. These findings suggest that Ch-PQ-M is a valid instrument for evaluating individual mindfulness quality for a single-session practice.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Ch-PQ-M (especially for the Ch-PQ-M perseverance score) has acceptable psychometric properties and is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing mindfulness practice quality in the Chinese cultural context.