Factor structure of an Arabic version of the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire

Mindfulness refers to an individual's ability to pay attention to present experiences with openness and awareness. The Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) assesses five components: Observing, Describing, Acting with Awareness, Non-Judging, and Non-Reactivity. This study examined the factor structure an Arabic version of the 39-item FFMQ among two independent samples of university students ( n = 570 and n = 456). Five structural models were tested: single-factor, correlated four-factor, hierarchical four-factor, correlated five-factor, and hierarchical five-factor. The findings indicated a poor fit for the single-factor model, but a good fit for both the correlated four- and five-factor models. The correlated four-factor model—excluding the Observing facet—demonstrated the most parsimonious and robust fit. Values of Cronbach's alpha as an estimate of reliability were good reflecting the internal consistency among the items of each facet. This study recommended that researchers and practitioners can use the Arabic FFMQ for assessing mindfulness in Arabic-speaking populations with non-mediating experiences.