title: Applying generalisability theory to differentiate between trait and state in the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)

authors: Truong, Quoc Cuong

subjects: mindfulness

abstract: Mindfulness has been applied as an effective therapy in clinical settings to treat psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, stress, anxiety) and also in many other contexts (e.g., the workplace, educational contexts, and sports). Accurate evaluation of mindfulness-based training or mindfulness research requires distinguishing between state and trait changes. The failure to distinguish trait from state in a mindfulness measurement may confuse the assessment results of neurophysiological and psychological mindfulness studies, as well as mindfulness-based treatments, because mindfulness can be understood as either a state or a trait. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is the most widely used multidimentional assessment tool of dispositional mindfulness, comprised of five subscales: “act with awareness”, “describe”, “nonjudge”, “nonreact”, and “observe”. Its short version, consisting of 18 items (FFMQ-18), was proposed by examining and comparing the existing short versions of the FFMQ. However, the ability of the FFMQ to accurately capture stable aspects of mindfulness has not been studied thoroughly, using robust methodology. The generalisability theory (G-theory) is the most suitable and robust statistical approach to differentiate and measure these aspects.
In this study, G-theory was applied to distinguish between dynamic (state) and enduring (trait) aspects of mindfulness and to evaluate the reliability of the FFMQ and the FFMQ-18 over time. The study used data from 83 participants, who completed the test on three occasions separated by 2-week intervals. The full 39-item FFMQ and the shorter FFMQ-18 version proved to be very reliable in measuring trait mindfulness, with G coefficients of 0.89 and 0.75, respectively, while individual facet subscales of the FFMQ appeared to be less reliable in measuring trait mindfulness. Subsequent analyses attempted to combine the FFMQ items that were least stable over time to form a measure of state mindfulness. However, these did not result in acceptable psychometric properties for such a state subscale. The findings of this study indicate that a reliable assessment of stable aspects of mindfulness can be achieved by using the full FFMQ scale or its short FFMQ-18 version, with scores that can be generalised across the sample population and assessment occasions. The scores obtained on individual facet subscales of the FFMQ predominantly measure trait mindfulness but their reliability is affected by measurement error, resulting from interaction between persons, items and occasions.

text: Applying generalisability theory to differentiate between trait and state in the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) Mindfulness has been applied as an effective therapy in clinical settings to treat psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, stress, anxiety) and also in many other contexts (e.g., the workplace, educational contexts, and sports). Accurate evaluation of mindfulness-based training or mindfulness research requires distinguishing between state and trait changes. The failure to distinguish trait from state in a mindfulness measurement may confuse the assessment results of neurophysiological and psychological mindfulness studies, as well as mindfulness-based treatments, because mindfulness can be understood as either a state or a trait. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is the most widely used multidimentional assessment tool of dispositional mindfulness, comprised of five subscales: “act with awareness”, “describe”, “nonjudge”, “nonreact”, and “observe”. Its short version, consisting of 18 items (FFMQ-18), was proposed by examining and comparing the existing short versions of the FFMQ. However, the ability of the FFMQ to accurately capture stable aspects of mindfulness has not been studied thoroughly, using robust methodology. The generalisability theory (G-theory) is the most suitable and robust statistical approach to differentiate and measure these aspects.
In this study, G-theory was applied to distinguish between dynamic (state) and enduring (trait) aspects of mindfulness and to evaluate the reliability of the FFMQ and the FFMQ-18 over time. The study used data from 83 participants, who completed the test on three occasions separated by 2-week intervals. The full 39-item FFMQ and the shorter FFMQ-18 version proved to be very reliable in measuring trait mindfulness, with G coefficients of 0.89 and 0.75, respectively, while individual facet subscales of the FFMQ appeared to be less reliable in measuring trait mindfulness. Subsequent analyses attempted to combine the FFMQ items that were least stable over time to form a measure of state mindfulness. However, these did not result in acceptable psychometric properties for such a state subscale. The findings of this study indicate that a reliable assessment of stable aspects of mindfulness can be achieved by using the full FFMQ scale or its short FFMQ-18 version, with scores that can be generalised across the sample population and assessment occasions. The scores obtained on individual facet subscales of the FFMQ predominantly measure trait mindfulness but their reliability is affected by measurement error, resulting from interaction between persons, items and occasions.

year: 2020

title: Neon Chalk: Designing Software to Support Drawing as Play for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

authors: Shannon, Grant

subjects: autism spectrum disorders

abstract: Neon Chalk is a prototype piece of software designed to support drawing as play, for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It incorporates a minimalist interface to reduce distraction while drawing, compelling colours and sound that are configurable for each user, and an interaction design that makes the stimulus reward outputted by the software contingent on input from the child drawing.
The design and development of the Neon Chalk prototype has motivated and informed the assessment of user-centred data gathering techniques. Six children with ASD were involved in this research. The techniques used within this studied are evaluated based on their suitability of use with this challenging user population.

text: Neon Chalk: Designing Software to Support Drawing as Play for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Neon Chalk is a prototype piece of software designed to support drawing as play, for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It incorporates a minimalist interface to reduce distraction while drawing, compelling colours and sound that are configurable for each user, and an interaction design that makes the stimulus reward outputted by the software contingent on input from the child drawing.
The design and development of the Neon Chalk prototype has motivated and informed the assessment of user-centred data gathering techniques. Six children with ASD were involved in this research. The techniques used within this studied are evaluated based on their suitability of use with this challenging user population.

year: 2009

title: Culture – the foundation of Maori Governance

authors: Toki, Valmaine

abstract: The structure of a governance system specifies the distribution of rights and responsibilities among different participants dictating the mutually agreed rules and procedures for making decisions on business affairs. For Maori, an indigenous people, the unique and pivotal factor that provides the point of difference, for governance, is the importance of their culture. Notwithstanding this point of difference, there exists a paucity of governance structures that adequately cater and provide for culture.

text: Culture – the foundation of Maori Governance The structure of a governance system specifies the distribution of rights and responsibilities among different participants dictating the mutually agreed rules and procedures for making decisions on business affairs. For Maori, an indigenous people, the unique and pivotal factor that provides the point of difference, for governance, is the importance of their culture. Notwithstanding this point of difference, there exists a paucity of governance structures that adequately cater and provide for culture.

year: 2013