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Incremental Validity of Components of Mindfulness in the Prediction of Satisfaction with Life and Depression

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Abstract

Self-report measures of mindfulness have consistently demonstrated positive relationships with well-being and inverse relationships with depression symptoms. The goal of this study was to extend the existing literature to include a test of the incremental validity of the components of mindfulness (as measured by the four factors of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills [KIMS]; Baer et al. Assessment, 11, 191–206, 2004) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS; Brown and Ryan Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 822–848, 2003) in the prediction of satisfaction with life (relative to self-esteem) and depression (relative to negative cognitions) among a sample of 365 college students. Results revealed only KIMS Observe accounted for a significant amount variance relative to self-esteem in the prediction of satisfaction with life, and in the prediction of depression symptoms, only KIMS Accept without Judgment accounted for a significant amount of variance relative to negative cognitions. These results are discussed in relation to the measurement of mindfulness and methods used to assess the validity of these scales.

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  1. Pacific University, School of Professional Psychology, 511 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 400, Portland, OR, 97205, USA

    Michael S. Christopher & Brennan D. Gilbert

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  1. Michael S. Christopher
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Correspondence to Michael S. Christopher.

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Christopher, M.S., Gilbert, B.D. Incremental Validity of Components of Mindfulness in the Prediction of Satisfaction with Life and Depression. Curr Psychol 29, 10–23 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-009-9067-9

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