Applying Generalizability Theory to Differentiate Between Trait and State in the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale (IMS)
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Applying Generalizability Theory to Differentiate Between Trait and State in the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale (IMS) Rebecca A. Chalmers 1 & Steven D. Pratscher 2 & B. Ann Bettencourt 3 & Oleg N. Medvedev 1 Accepted: 9 October 2020 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Objectives The Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale (IMS) is a recently developed measure to assess mindfulness in the context of interpersonal interactions. The IMS showed promising psychometric properties and is considered to be a trait measure, but its temporal reliability and ability to distinguish trait from state have not been rigorously examined using appropriate methods. Generalizability theory (G-theory) is increasingly used to differentiate between trait and state aspects and identify sources of error affecting a measure. This trait/state distinction is important because it is required for evaluation of long-term effects of mindfulness-based training, especially those targeting interpersonal relationships. Methods Responses of 116 participants who completed the scale at three occasions, with 1-month intervals, were analyzed using G-theory and person by item by occasion longitudinal observation design. Results The 27-item IMS demonstrated strong reliability and generalizability of scores across persons and occasions in measuring interpersonal mindfulness as a trait with G-coefficients of 0.84-0.91. Individual subscales were less reliable. Further investigation combining the most stable items into a trait-only measure did not result in a more reliable measure, nor did combining the least stable items into a state-only measure. Conclusions This study supported good psychometric properties of the full IMS as a measure of a trait with the total scores generalizable across people and occasions. These findings suggest that the IMS total trait scores can be used to reliably evaluate long-term effects of interventions aiming to enhance interpersonal mindfulness. Keywords Mindfulness . Interpersonal mindfulness . Trait and state . Measurement . Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale . Generalizability theory Mindfulness pertains to one’s ability to maintain attention to and awareness of one’s experiences as they unfold in the present moment, nonjudgmentally (Brown and Ryan 2003). Research has shown that higher levels of mindfulness benefit psychological and physiological health and well-being (e.g., Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01520-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Oleg N. Medvedev [email protected] 1
School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Rm K 1.23, Hillcrest, 3240, Private Bag, Hamilton 3105, New Zealand
2
Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), College of Dentistry, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610-0404, USA
3
University of Missouri, MO Columbia, USA
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