DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOMETRIC VALIDATION OF THE ISLAMIC MINDFULNESS SCALE: EVIDENCE FROM CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop and validate culturally grounded measure of mindfulness rooted in Islamic
teachings and spiritual practices. Using a systematic scale development approach the items were initially
generated through semi-structured interviews based on the operational definition of Islamic mindfulness. After
content validation and item refinement the scale was administered with 418 Muslim adults and the sample was
randomly divided into two data-sets for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA; n = 209) and Confirmatory Factor
Analysis (CFA; n = 209). EFA revealed a three-factor structure of Islamic Mindfulness Scale (IMS) comprising
Mindful Worship and Remembrance, Spiritual Awareness of Allah and Reflective Self-Regulation. CFA supported
a refined model with good fit indices comprising 17 items. Final scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency
(α = .92) and strong test–retest reliability (r = .91). Convergent validity of IMS was established through positive
correlations with positive religious coping and cognitive reappraisal where discriminant validity was supported
by negative associations of Islamic mindfulness with psychological distress and negative religious coping. Results
indicate that IMS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing mindfulness within Islamic contexts and has
implications in culturally sensitive psychological research and interventions.