The Mindful Healthcare Scale (MHS): Development and initial validation

Objectives: Psychological flexibility is associated with reduced burnout and improved wellbeing in healthcare professionals. This paper outlines the development and initial validation of the Mindful Healthcare Scale (MHS), a novel measure of psychological flexibility in healthcare professionals. Methods: This paper comprises of three studies drawing on the following samples. Sample 1 (n = 480) and Sample 2 (n = 196) were cross-sectional samples of healthcare professionals. Sample 3 (n = 162) was the baseline sample of a longitudinal study who were followed up after a six-month interval. Seventy-seven participants of sample 3 provided test-retest data at six months. Classical test theory was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Mindful Healthcare Scale. Sample One was used to conduct an exploratory factor analysis. A confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken in sample two. Sample two and three were used to test the convergent validity and concurrent validity of the MHS via corelation with measures of burnout, wellbeing, general psychological flexibility, and self-compassion. Incremental validity of the MHS was assessed in predicting wellbeing and burnout after controlling for general psychological flexibility. The sub sample of Sample 3 was used to assess testretest reliability. Results: In study one, exploratory factor analysis led to a three-factor structure that was labelled 'engaged', 'awareness', and 'defusion'. In study two, confirmatory factor analyses supported this model. Study 3 supported the convergent validity, construct validity, incremental validity and test-retest reliability of the MHS. Internal reliability was found to be good across all samples. Conclusions: The MHS is a psychometrically sound measure of psychological flexibility in healthcare contexts. It is hoped that this measure will contribute to research and practice that aims to understand and enhance the wellbeing and training of healthcare professionals.