The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is the most cited instrument to measure dispositiona... more The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is the most cited instrument to measure dispositional mindfulness. However, some aspects of its validity are still under debate. We aimed to assess different sources of validity evidence (i.e., response processes, content, internal structure, reliability, and relations with external variables) of the MAAS scores in a sample of Spanish-speaking participants ( N = 812) applying Rasch modeling. The items formed an essentially unidimensional structure, the item hierarchy was similar to that of previous comparable studies, the items were well targeted, and the ordering of persons along the construct was adequate. Moreover, measures were invariant across four age groups and three groups based on meditation practice, and correlated as expected with a variety of well-being variables. In sum, our findings supported the interpretation of MAAS scores as a measure of mindfulness in our sample of Spanish-speaking participants. Any other specific inference should be tested.
British Journal of Medical Psychology, Dec 13, 2021
ObjectiveThe mindfulness and self‐compassion (MSC) protocol has shown efficacy in reducing mental... more ObjectiveThe mindfulness and self‐compassion (MSC) protocol has shown efficacy in reducing mental illness symptoms and increasing well‐being. However, little is known on how the positive outcomes are produced. This study explores how reductions in experiential avoidance following MSC training may explain changes in the participants’ levels of anxiety, depression, and well‐being.MethodsThe 8‐week protocol‐based MSC training was delivered to 50 participants, and pre‐ to post‐ intervention changes in anxiety, depression, and well‐being were measured. A series of mediation models were conducted, with changes in self‐compassion as predictor, changes in experiential avoidance as mediator, and changes in mental health and well‐being as outcome variables. Point estimates and bootstrap‐corrected 95% confidence intervals were calculated to analyse indirect effects through experiential avoidance, by means of structural equation modeling (SEM).ResultsFollowing MSC training, participants increased their levels of self‐compassion, reduced experiential avoidance, and enhanced mental health (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms) and well‐being scores. Increases in self‐compassion were associated with decreases in experiential avoidance, which in turn were connected with changes in anxiety, depression, and well‐being from pre‐ to post‐training. The indirect path through changes in experiential avoidance represented moderate to large proportions of the total effects of self‐compassion change‐scores on anxiety, depression, and well‐being change‐scores.ConclusionsReducing experiential avoidance and increasing psychological flexibility may be a key effect of MSC training linked to improvements of the participants’ mental health and well‐being scores. Self‐compassion practices could exert effects on anxiety, depression and well‐being mainly through promoting reductions in experiential avoidance.
ABSTRACTBackground:Loneliness has been associated with physical and mental health problems. It ha... more ABSTRACTBackground:Loneliness has been associated with physical and mental health problems. It has also been considered a serious social problem that increases the use and costs of health services. The most widely used instrument in Europe for measuring loneliness is the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS). The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 11-item DJGLS by means of the Rasch model, and its convergent and discriminant validity.Methods:Participants were a representative sample of Spanish community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older. We evaluated sociodemographic variables, health, social support, social activity, and subjective well-being measures.Results:Person and item fit statistics, and standardized residual principal component analysis revealed that the DJGLS was essentially unidimensional. However, we found DIF across marital status and living arrangements. Moderate to high associations were found between loneliness and depression, self-rated loneliness, positive and negative emotions, and satisfaction with life. The DJGLS differentiated between well known-groups according to gender, marital status, living arrangements, health, structural and functional aspects of social networks, and social activity.Conclusions:The DJGLS is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring loneliness in Spanish older adults. The addition of a few items in order to improve the measurement range is strongly recommended. Our findings are consistent with previous research indicating that loneliness is an important aspect of mental health and subjective well-being, and support the use of the scale to detect vulnerable population in old age.
Objectives The aim of this study was to conduct a multi-faceted assessment of the psychometric pr... more Objectives The aim of this study was to conduct a multi-faceted assessment of the psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). In addition to the goodness-of-fit, we aimed to assess the strength and replicability of three factorial solutions, and the quality and effectiveness of the three scoring schemes of the scale (i.e., total scale score, two subscale scores, and six subscale scores). Methods Participants were 1508 Spanish-speaking community-dwelling adults (M = 34.94 years, SD = 15.02). Data were examined by means of a conjoint strategy using Rasch modeling, non-linear factor analysis, exploratory bifactor analysis, and parallel analysis. A procedure for selecting the optimal set of items that must be used to compute individual’s scores was used. Results The unidimensional solution showed a marginal model fit (RMSR = .089), and both the bifactor two-group and bifactor six-group solutions showed a good fit (RMSR = .043 and .019, respectively). However, only the un...
Resumen: En la vejez avanzada, los estados emocionales se convierten en el motivo más importante ... more Resumen: En la vejez avanzada, los estados emocionales se convierten en el motivo más importante para mantener la satisfacción con la vida. En este estudio se ha examinado el papel de las emociones positivas y negativas sobre el juicio de satisfacción vital en la vejez avanzada, así como las diferencias de edad y género en una muestra de 400 personas muy mayores de Salamanca, con edades comprendidas entre los 75 y 104 años. Los resultados muestran una mayor frecuencia de emociones positivas, siendo las más frecuentes estar atento, sentirse activo y fuerte y, las menos frecuentes, estar entusiasmado e inspirado. Entre los sentimientos negativos más frecuentes destacan sentirse inquieto, expectante y nervioso, y como menos frecuentes sentirse culpable, hostil y avergonzado. Además, aparecen diferencias de edad (quienes tienen entre 75 y 84 años se sienten más activos, entusiasmados e inspirados) y de género (las mujeres muy mayores se sienten más inquietas, nerviosas, orgullosas, teme...
Este artículo presenta diversas estrategias educativas para la ocupación del tiempo libre de las ... more Este artículo presenta diversas estrategias educativas para la ocupación del tiempo libre de las personas mayores. Estas estrategias tratan de promover la participación social de los mayores y lograr cambios en el tipo de actividades que realizan. Se analiza la relación entre variables como la salud, el funcionamiento cognitivo y los estados emocionales con la participación social y el tipo de actividad. Los datos a partir de los cuales se realizan las reflexiones y orientaciones educativas proceden de un estudio realizado en Salamanca con población mayor de 60 años.
Developmental theories suggest age-related changes in the structure of affect. Paradoxically, the... more Developmental theories suggest age-related changes in the structure of affect. Paradoxically, the internal structure of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988) has not been tested in Spanish older adults by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) despite it is the most widely used measure of emotional well-being in later life. The aim of this study was to examine competing models of the internal structure of the Spanish version of the PANAS, its measurement invariance, reliability, and external validity. Participants were a representative sample of 585 community-dwelling people aged 60 and over, who also completed depression, loneliness and life satisfaction measures. Results showed that the orthogonal two-factor model with correlated errors (RMSEA = .057, 90% CI [.051, .063], SRMR = .084, CFI = .97, NNFI = .97) was the best fitting solution. Measurement invariance analyses confirmed that the two-independent factor structure can be used...
The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is the most cited instrument to measure dispositiona... more The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is the most cited instrument to measure dispositional mindfulness. However, some aspects of its validity are still under debate. We aimed to assess different sources of validity evidence (i.e., response processes, content, internal structure, reliability, and relations with external variables) of the MAAS scores in a sample of Spanish-speaking participants ( N = 812) applying Rasch modeling. The items formed an essentially unidimensional structure, the item hierarchy was similar to that of previous comparable studies, the items were well targeted, and the ordering of persons along the construct was adequate. Moreover, measures were invariant across four age groups and three groups based on meditation practice, and correlated as expected with a variety of well-being variables. In sum, our findings supported the interpretation of MAAS scores as a measure of mindfulness in our sample of Spanish-speaking participants. Any other specific inference should be tested.
British Journal of Medical Psychology, Dec 13, 2021
ObjectiveThe mindfulness and self‐compassion (MSC) protocol has shown efficacy in reducing mental... more ObjectiveThe mindfulness and self‐compassion (MSC) protocol has shown efficacy in reducing mental illness symptoms and increasing well‐being. However, little is known on how the positive outcomes are produced. This study explores how reductions in experiential avoidance following MSC training may explain changes in the participants’ levels of anxiety, depression, and well‐being.MethodsThe 8‐week protocol‐based MSC training was delivered to 50 participants, and pre‐ to post‐ intervention changes in anxiety, depression, and well‐being were measured. A series of mediation models were conducted, with changes in self‐compassion as predictor, changes in experiential avoidance as mediator, and changes in mental health and well‐being as outcome variables. Point estimates and bootstrap‐corrected 95% confidence intervals were calculated to analyse indirect effects through experiential avoidance, by means of structural equation modeling (SEM).ResultsFollowing MSC training, participants increased their levels of self‐compassion, reduced experiential avoidance, and enhanced mental health (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms) and well‐being scores. Increases in self‐compassion were associated with decreases in experiential avoidance, which in turn were connected with changes in anxiety, depression, and well‐being from pre‐ to post‐training. The indirect path through changes in experiential avoidance represented moderate to large proportions of the total effects of self‐compassion change‐scores on anxiety, depression, and well‐being change‐scores.ConclusionsReducing experiential avoidance and increasing psychological flexibility may be a key effect of MSC training linked to improvements of the participants’ mental health and well‐being scores. Self‐compassion practices could exert effects on anxiety, depression and well‐being mainly through promoting reductions in experiential avoidance.
ABSTRACTBackground:Loneliness has been associated with physical and mental health problems. It ha... more ABSTRACTBackground:Loneliness has been associated with physical and mental health problems. It has also been considered a serious social problem that increases the use and costs of health services. The most widely used instrument in Europe for measuring loneliness is the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS). The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 11-item DJGLS by means of the Rasch model, and its convergent and discriminant validity.Methods:Participants were a representative sample of Spanish community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older. We evaluated sociodemographic variables, health, social support, social activity, and subjective well-being measures.Results:Person and item fit statistics, and standardized residual principal component analysis revealed that the DJGLS was essentially unidimensional. However, we found DIF across marital status and living arrangements. Moderate to high associations were found between loneliness and depression, self-rated loneliness, positive and negative emotions, and satisfaction with life. The DJGLS differentiated between well known-groups according to gender, marital status, living arrangements, health, structural and functional aspects of social networks, and social activity.Conclusions:The DJGLS is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring loneliness in Spanish older adults. The addition of a few items in order to improve the measurement range is strongly recommended. Our findings are consistent with previous research indicating that loneliness is an important aspect of mental health and subjective well-being, and support the use of the scale to detect vulnerable population in old age.
Objectives The aim of this study was to conduct a multi-faceted assessment of the psychometric pr... more Objectives The aim of this study was to conduct a multi-faceted assessment of the psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). In addition to the goodness-of-fit, we aimed to assess the strength and replicability of three factorial solutions, and the quality and effectiveness of the three scoring schemes of the scale (i.e., total scale score, two subscale scores, and six subscale scores). Methods Participants were 1508 Spanish-speaking community-dwelling adults (M = 34.94 years, SD = 15.02). Data were examined by means of a conjoint strategy using Rasch modeling, non-linear factor analysis, exploratory bifactor analysis, and parallel analysis. A procedure for selecting the optimal set of items that must be used to compute individual’s scores was used. Results The unidimensional solution showed a marginal model fit (RMSR = .089), and both the bifactor two-group and bifactor six-group solutions showed a good fit (RMSR = .043 and .019, respectively). However, only the un...
Resumen: En la vejez avanzada, los estados emocionales se convierten en el motivo más importante ... more Resumen: En la vejez avanzada, los estados emocionales se convierten en el motivo más importante para mantener la satisfacción con la vida. En este estudio se ha examinado el papel de las emociones positivas y negativas sobre el juicio de satisfacción vital en la vejez avanzada, así como las diferencias de edad y género en una muestra de 400 personas muy mayores de Salamanca, con edades comprendidas entre los 75 y 104 años. Los resultados muestran una mayor frecuencia de emociones positivas, siendo las más frecuentes estar atento, sentirse activo y fuerte y, las menos frecuentes, estar entusiasmado e inspirado. Entre los sentimientos negativos más frecuentes destacan sentirse inquieto, expectante y nervioso, y como menos frecuentes sentirse culpable, hostil y avergonzado. Además, aparecen diferencias de edad (quienes tienen entre 75 y 84 años se sienten más activos, entusiasmados e inspirados) y de género (las mujeres muy mayores se sienten más inquietas, nerviosas, orgullosas, teme...
Este artículo presenta diversas estrategias educativas para la ocupación del tiempo libre de las ... more Este artículo presenta diversas estrategias educativas para la ocupación del tiempo libre de las personas mayores. Estas estrategias tratan de promover la participación social de los mayores y lograr cambios en el tipo de actividades que realizan. Se analiza la relación entre variables como la salud, el funcionamiento cognitivo y los estados emocionales con la participación social y el tipo de actividad. Los datos a partir de los cuales se realizan las reflexiones y orientaciones educativas proceden de un estudio realizado en Salamanca con población mayor de 60 años.
Developmental theories suggest age-related changes in the structure of affect. Paradoxically, the... more Developmental theories suggest age-related changes in the structure of affect. Paradoxically, the internal structure of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988) has not been tested in Spanish older adults by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) despite it is the most widely used measure of emotional well-being in later life. The aim of this study was to examine competing models of the internal structure of the Spanish version of the PANAS, its measurement invariance, reliability, and external validity. Participants were a representative sample of 585 community-dwelling people aged 60 and over, who also completed depression, loneliness and life satisfaction measures. Results showed that the orthogonal two-factor model with correlated errors (RMSEA = .057, 90% CI [.051, .063], SRMR = .084, CFI = .97, NNFI = .97) was the best fitting solution. Measurement invariance analyses confirmed that the two-independent factor structure can be used...
Uploads
Papers by Jose Buz