Assessing Mindfulness Barriers: Turkish Validation of the Fears and Resistances to Mindfulness Scale (FRM) via a Bifactor Model Approach
Year 2025,
Volume: 15 Issue: 77, 349 - 361, 30.06.2025
Mustafa Subaşı
,
Evgeny N. Osin
,
Hakan Karaman
,
Emre Gürkan
,
Sefa Bulut
Abstract
The Fears and Resistances to Mindfulness Scale (FRM) is a self-report measure to help identify who may fear of, have blocks against, and show resistances to mindfulness. The goal of the present study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the FRM. The study recruited a sample of 448 participants. Participants completed several instruments including the Fears and Resistances to Mindfulness Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales, Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Mental Health Continuum-Short Form. Factor analyses confirmed the original two-factor structure of the FRM with good internal consistency and a bifactor model of the FRM. Measurement invariance analyses across gender showed consistent psychometric properties across gender. The subscales and the general factor had positive associations with depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas they predominantly were negatively associated with well-being indicators or irrelevant. This study confirms the original factor structure of the FRM in a non-Western context with a bifactor model. The Turkish version of the FRM is a valid and reliable instrument.
Supporting Institution
HSE University
References
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- Dueber, D. M. (2017). Bifactor indices calculator: A microsoft excel-based tool to calculate various indices relevant to bifactor CFA models. https://doi.org/10.13023/edp.tool.01
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- Gorsuch, R. L. (1983). Factor analysis (2nd ed.). Erlbaum.
- Hancock, G. R., & Mueller, R. O. (2001). Rethinking construct reliability within latent variable systems. In R. Cudeck, S. du Toit, & D. Sorbom (Eds), Structural equation modeling: Present and future—A Festschrift in honor of Karl Joreskog (pp. 195–216). Scientific Software International.
- Hülsheger, U. R., Alberts, H. J., Feinholdt, A., & Lang, J. W. (2013). Benefits of mindfulness at work: the role of mindfulness in emotion regulation, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2), 310. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031313
- Kabat-Zinn, J. (2015). Mindfulness. Mindfulness, 6(6), 1481-1483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015- 0456-x
- Kardaş, F., & Yalcin, I. (2018). An Adaptation Study of the Balanced Measure of Psychological Needs (BMPN) Scale to Turkish Culture. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 47(2). http://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.408515
- Kaufmann, M., Rosing, K., & Baumann, N. (2021). Being mindful does not always benefit everyone: Mindfulness-based practices may promote alienation among psychologically vulnerable people. Cognition and Emotion, 35(2), 241-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2020.1825337
- Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041-1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006
- Keyes, C. L., Wissing, M., Potgieter, J. P., Temane, M., Kruger, A., & Van Rooy, S. (2008). Evaluation of the mental health continuum–short form (MHC–SF) in setswana‐speaking South Africans. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 15(3), 181-192. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.572
- Kline, R. B. (2015). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. The Guilford Press.
- Köker, S. (1991). Normal ve sorunlu ergenlerin yaşam doyumu düzeyinin karşılaştırılması (Unpublished master’s thesis, Balıkesir University Institute of Social Sciences).
- Kuijpers, H. J., Van der Heijden, F. M. M. A., Tuinier, S., & Verhoeven, W. M. A. (2007). Meditation-induced psychosis. Psychopathology, 40(6), 461-464.https://doi.org/10.1159/000108125
- Langer, E. J. (2016). The power of mindful learning. Hachette UK.
- Lindahl, J. R., Fisher, N. E., Cooper, D. J., Rosen, R. K., & Britton, W. B. (2017). The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. PloS One, 12(5), e0176239. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176239
- Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335-343. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005- 7967(94)00075-U
- Osin, E. N., & Turilina, I. I. (2022). Mindfulness meditation experiences of novice practitioners in an online intervention: Trajectories, predictors, and challenges. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 14(1), 101–121. https://doi.org/10. 1111/aphw.12293
- Reise, S. P., Scheines, R., Widaman, K. F., & Haviland, M. G. (2013). Multidimensionality and structural coefficient bias in structural equation modeling a bifactor perspective. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 73(1), 5–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164412449831
- Rodriguez, A., Reise, S. P., & Haviland, M. G. (2016). Evaluating bifactor models: Calculating and interpreting statistical indices. Psychological Methods, 21(2), 137– 150. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000045
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness. The Guilford Press.
- Shapiro Jr, D. H. (1992). Adverse Effects of Meditation: A Preliminary Investigation ofLong-Tenn Meditators. International Journal of Psychosomatics, 39(1-4), 63.
- Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., & Griffiths, M. D. (2014). Are there risks associated with using mindfulness for the treatment of psychopathology?. Clinical Practice, 11(4), 389-392. http://doi.org/10.2217/cpr.14.23
- Stucky, B. D., & Edelen, M. O. (2015). Using hierarchical IRT models to create unidimensional measures from multidimensional data. In S. P. Reise & D. A. Revicki (Eds), Handbook of item response theory modeling: Applications to typical performance assessment (pp. 183– 206). Routledge.
- Subasi, M., Karaman, H., Bulut, S., & Osin, E. N. (2024). Turkish validation of then Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS): A bifactor model approach. Manuscript submitted for publication.
- Taylor, G. B., Vasquez, T. S., Kastrinos, A., Fisher, C. L., Puig, A., & Bylund, C. L. (2022). The adverse effects of meditation-interventions and mind–body practices: A systematic review. Mindfulness, 13(8), 1839-1856. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01915-6
- Van Gordon, W., Sapthiang, S., Barrows, P., & Shonin, E. (2021). Understanding and practicing emptiness. Mindfulness, 12(7), 1845–1848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01586-1
- Yildirim, A., Boysan, M., & Kefeli, M. C. (2018). Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 46(5), 582-595. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2018.1442558
Year 2025,
Volume: 15 Issue: 77, 349 - 361, 30.06.2025
Mustafa Subaşı
,
Evgeny N. Osin
,
Hakan Karaman
,
Emre Gürkan
,
Sefa Bulut
References
- Aizik-Reebs, A., Shoham, A., & Bernstein, A. (2021). First, do no harm: An intensive experience sampling study of adverse effects to mindfulness training. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 145, 103941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2021.103941
- Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191105283504
- Baer, R., Crane, C., Montero-Marin, J., Phillips, A., Taylor, L., Tickell, A., ... & MYRIAD team. (2021). Frequency
of self-reported unpleasant events and harm in a mindfulness-based program in two general
population samples. Mindfulness, 12, 763-774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01547-8
- Binda, D. D., Greco, C. M., & Morone, N. E. (2022). What are adverse events in mindfulness meditation?. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 11, https://doi.org/10.1177/2164957X221096640
- Britton, W. B., Lindahl, J. R., Cooper, D. J., Canby, N. K., & Palitsky, R. (2021). Defining and measuring meditation-related adverse effects in mindfulness-based programs. Clinical Psychological Science, 9(6), 1185-1204. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702621996340
- Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822– 848. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822
- Byrne, B. M. (1994). Structural Equation Modeling with EQS and EQS/Windows. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Cebolla, A., Demarzo, M., Martins, P., Soler, J., & Garcia-Campayo, J. (2017). Unwanted effects: Is there a negative side of meditation? A multicentre survey. PloS one, 12(9), e0183137. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183137
- Crane, R. S., Kuyken, W., Williams, J. M. G., Hastings, R. P., Cooper, L., & Fennell, M. J. (2012). Competence in teaching mindfulness-based courses: concepts, development and assessment. Mindfulness, 3, 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0073-2
- Davis, D. M., & Hayes, J. A. (2011). What are the benefits of mindfulness? A practice review of psychotherapy-related research. Psychotherapy, 48(2), 198. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022062
- Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
- Donald, J. N., Bradshaw, E. L., Ryan, R. M., Basarkod, G., Ciarrochi, J., Duineveld, J. J., ... & Sahdra, B. K. (2020). Mindfulness and its association with varied types of motivation: A systematic review and meta-analysis using self-determination theory. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(7), 1121-1138. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167219896136
- Dueber, D. M. (2017). Bifactor indices calculator: A microsoft excel-based tool to calculate various indices relevant to bifactor CFA models. https://doi.org/10.13023/edp.tool.01
- Fabrigar, L. R., Wegener, D. T., MacCallum, R. C., & Strahan, E. J. (1999). Evaluating the use of exploratory factor analysis in psychological research. Psychological Methods, 4(3), 272– 299. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.4.3.272
- Farias, M., Maraldi, E., Wallenkampf, K. C., & Lucchetti, G. (2020). Adverse events in meditation practices and meditation‐based therapies: a systematic review. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 142(5), 374-393. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13225
- George, L. S., & Park, C. L. (2017). The multidimensional existential meaning scale: A tripartite approach to measuring meaning in life. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(6), 613- 627. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1209546
- Germer, C. K., Siegel, R. D., & Fulton, P. R. (2013). Mindfulness and psychotherapy. The Guilford Press.
- Gilbert, P. (2022). Formulation and fears, blocks and resistances. In P. Gilbert & G. Simos (Eds.), Compassion focused therapy: Clinical practice and applications (pp. 207–239). Routledge.
- Gilbert, P., & Simos, G. (Eds.). (2022). Compassion focused therapy: Clinical practice and applications. Routledge.
- Gilbert, P., Basran, J., Plowright, P., Matos, M., Kirby, J., & Petrocchi, N. (2023). Fears and resistances to mindfulness: Development of a self-report scale. Mindfulness, 14(11), 2602- 2616. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02171-y
- Gong, X. G., Wang, L. P., Rong, G., Zhang, D. N., Zhang, A., & Liu, C. (2023). Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1073647. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073647
- Gorsuch, R. L. (1983). Factor analysis (2nd ed.). Erlbaum.
- Hancock, G. R., & Mueller, R. O. (2001). Rethinking construct reliability within latent variable systems. In R. Cudeck, S. du Toit, & D. Sorbom (Eds), Structural equation modeling: Present and future—A Festschrift in honor of Karl Joreskog (pp. 195–216). Scientific Software International.
- Hülsheger, U. R., Alberts, H. J., Feinholdt, A., & Lang, J. W. (2013). Benefits of mindfulness at work: the role of mindfulness in emotion regulation, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2), 310. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031313
- Kabat-Zinn, J. (2015). Mindfulness. Mindfulness, 6(6), 1481-1483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015- 0456-x
- Kardaş, F., & Yalcin, I. (2018). An Adaptation Study of the Balanced Measure of Psychological Needs (BMPN) Scale to Turkish Culture. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 47(2). http://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.408515
- Kaufmann, M., Rosing, K., & Baumann, N. (2021). Being mindful does not always benefit everyone: Mindfulness-based practices may promote alienation among psychologically vulnerable people. Cognition and Emotion, 35(2), 241-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2020.1825337
- Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041-1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006
- Keyes, C. L., Wissing, M., Potgieter, J. P., Temane, M., Kruger, A., & Van Rooy, S. (2008). Evaluation of the mental health continuum–short form (MHC–SF) in setswana‐speaking South Africans. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 15(3), 181-192. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.572
- Kline, R. B. (2015). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. The Guilford Press.
- Köker, S. (1991). Normal ve sorunlu ergenlerin yaşam doyumu düzeyinin karşılaştırılması (Unpublished master’s thesis, Balıkesir University Institute of Social Sciences).
- Kuijpers, H. J., Van der Heijden, F. M. M. A., Tuinier, S., & Verhoeven, W. M. A. (2007). Meditation-induced psychosis. Psychopathology, 40(6), 461-464.https://doi.org/10.1159/000108125
- Langer, E. J. (2016). The power of mindful learning. Hachette UK.
- Lindahl, J. R., Fisher, N. E., Cooper, D. J., Rosen, R. K., & Britton, W. B. (2017). The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. PloS One, 12(5), e0176239. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176239
- Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335-343. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005- 7967(94)00075-U
- Osin, E. N., & Turilina, I. I. (2022). Mindfulness meditation experiences of novice practitioners in an online intervention: Trajectories, predictors, and challenges. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 14(1), 101–121. https://doi.org/10. 1111/aphw.12293
- Reise, S. P., Scheines, R., Widaman, K. F., & Haviland, M. G. (2013). Multidimensionality and structural coefficient bias in structural equation modeling a bifactor perspective. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 73(1), 5–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164412449831
- Rodriguez, A., Reise, S. P., & Haviland, M. G. (2016). Evaluating bifactor models: Calculating and interpreting statistical indices. Psychological Methods, 21(2), 137– 150. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000045
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness. The Guilford Press.
- Shapiro Jr, D. H. (1992). Adverse Effects of Meditation: A Preliminary Investigation ofLong-Tenn Meditators. International Journal of Psychosomatics, 39(1-4), 63.
- Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., & Griffiths, M. D. (2014). Are there risks associated with using mindfulness for the treatment of psychopathology?. Clinical Practice, 11(4), 389-392. http://doi.org/10.2217/cpr.14.23
- Stucky, B. D., & Edelen, M. O. (2015). Using hierarchical IRT models to create unidimensional measures from multidimensional data. In S. P. Reise & D. A. Revicki (Eds), Handbook of item response theory modeling: Applications to typical performance assessment (pp. 183– 206). Routledge.
- Subasi, M., Karaman, H., Bulut, S., & Osin, E. N. (2024). Turkish validation of then Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS): A bifactor model approach. Manuscript submitted for publication.
- Taylor, G. B., Vasquez, T. S., Kastrinos, A., Fisher, C. L., Puig, A., & Bylund, C. L. (2022). The adverse effects of meditation-interventions and mind–body practices: A systematic review. Mindfulness, 13(8), 1839-1856. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01915-6
- Van Gordon, W., Sapthiang, S., Barrows, P., & Shonin, E. (2021). Understanding and practicing emptiness. Mindfulness, 12(7), 1845–1848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01586-1
- Yildirim, A., Boysan, M., & Kefeli, M. C. (2018). Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 46(5), 582-595. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2018.1442558