title: The Applied Mindfulness Process Scale (AMPS): A process measure for evaluating mindfulness-based interventions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) include the application of meditation and mind-body practices used to promote mindful awareness in daily life. Operationalizing the construct of mindfulness is important in order to determine mechanisms of therapeutic change elicited by mindfulness practice. In addition to existing state and trait measures of mindfulness, process measures are needed to assess the ways in which individuals apply mindfulness in the context of their practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report details three independent studies (qualitative interview, N = 8; scale validation, N = 134; and replication study, N = 180) and the mixed qualitative-quantitative methodology used to develop and validate the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale (AMPS), a 15-item process measure designed to quantify how mindfulness practitioners actively use mindfulness to remediate psychological suffering in their daily lives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Study 1, cognitive interviewing yielded a readily comprehensible and accessible scale of 15 items. In Study 2, exploratory factor analysis derived a potential three-factor solution: decentering, positive emotion regulation, and negative emotion regulation. In Study 3, confirmatory factor analysis verified better model fit with the three-factor structure over the one-factor structure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AMPS functions as a measure to quantify the application of mindfulness and processes of change in the context of MBIs and general mindfulness practice.
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Li
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Black
authors: College of Social Work & Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah.
authors: Eric L
authors: EL
authors: Garland
keywords: Mindfulness; coping; meditation; mindfulness-based intervention; process measure; psychometric; scale; validation