The Study of Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Toronto Mindfulness Scale

Lee, Woo Kyeong; Cho, Yong Rae; Kim, So Hee

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In this study, we examined the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Toronto Mindfulness Scale (K-TMS), a brief self-report measure to assess state mindfulness.
METHODS
We administered the K-TMS, Beck Depression Inventory, Experiences Questionnaire (K-EQ), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ) to 205 university students and conducted exploratory factor analyses (EFA), confirmatory factor analyses, and correlation analyses among the related variables.
RESULTS
The K-TMS demonstrated high internal consistency, and its corrected item-total correlations ranged from .37 to .73. Exploratory factor analyses resulted in a two-factor solution (curiosity, de-centering), based on an examination of the scree plot and eigenvalues, which was structurally similar to the original TMS scale. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a correlated 2-factor model, with correlated error terms, showed an adequate fit to the data. The K-TMS was positively correlated with de-centering (r=.304, p<.01), as measured by the EQ, with reflective self-awareness (r=.334, p<.01), as assessed by the K-RRQ, and with positive affect (r=.302, p<.01), as assessed by he PANAS. There were no significant relationships between the K-TMS and depression, and the correlation between the K-TMS and the MAAS was not significant.
CONCLUSION
These results show the K-TMS is a promising measure of mindfulness state, with good psychometric properties. Further study of the relationship between the K-TMS and mental health is needed.