Adaptation of the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form (FFMQ-SF) to Spanish Family Caregivers of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract In recent years, mindfulness-focused interventions have garnered attention in the area of family members of people with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). The mindfulness trait has been related to a greater well-being, lower levels of anxiety and depression and a better quality of life in this group. Therefore, developing tools that assess mindfulness is relevant. The aim of this study was to adapt the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form (FFMQ-SF; Bohlmeijer, ten Klooster, Fledderus, Veehof, & Baer, 2011) to Spanish caregivers of people with IDD. Two hundred sixty-five relatives of people with IDD (84.5% women and 15.5 % men) aged between 18 and 80 years participated in the research, completing this questionnaire along with measures of psychological distress and quality of life. The results confirmed the factor structure of the FFMQ-SF, consisting of five correlated factors (Observe, Describe, Act with awareness, Nonreact to inner experience, and Nonjudge inner experience). The factors showed adequate internal consistency. In addition, significant relationships were observed between the most of the mindfulness facets and less psychological distress as well as with better quality of life. The results suggest that the FFMQ-SF can be used adequately with relatives of people with IDD.