Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Nonattachment Scale (NAS) and Its Relationship with Mindfulness, Decentering, and Mental Health

Abstract

Nonattachment is a Buddhism-rooted construct, which can be defined as the relative absence of fixation on ideas, images, or sensory objects, as well as an absence of internal pressure to get, hold, avoid, or change circumstances or experiences. The present study was aimed at exploring the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Nonattachment Scale (NAS) and at delimitating the relationship between the NAS and measures of mindfulness, decentering, and negative emotional symptoms. Pooling the NAS data from Spanish meditators (n = 335) and nonmeditators (n = 270), we performed an exploratory factor analysis and then estimated the fit of two competing models (one-factor model vs. one-factor model + method effects) via confirmatory factor analysis. Data analyses showed that the Spanish version of the NAS is unifactorial in nature and has excellent internal consistency. As expected, high (positive) significant correlations were found between NAS and mindfulness and decentering measures, as well as high significant (negative) relations between NAS and depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Positive relations were also observed between NAS and variables of meditation practice. Large differences among the meditative, nonmeditative, and clinical groups (n = 39 patients with borderline personality disorder) were observed regarding NAS scores. Scores on the NAS were significant predictors of negative emotional symptoms (depression, anxiety, and stress) and, especially, resilience. Furthermore, NAS provided a unique contribution in the regression models, going beyond mindfulness facets and decentering. In conclusion, the Spanish version of the NAS is a psychometrically sound instrument with a promising future in the field of mindfulness and meditation research and in clinical settings.

Psychological Effects of a 1-Month Meditation Retreat on Experienced Meditators: The Role of Non-attachment

“…We did not find this kind of association in our study, but we observed that the higher the basal levels for non-attachment, and the higher the improvement in this variable by means of meditative practice, the greater the benefits it might bring. We found that both retreatants and controls had similar non-attachment scores at baseline (similar to other samples of meditators) (Feliu-Soler et al, 2016), and the retreat was able to increase non-attachment by almost double in comparison with the control group, in terms of the increment. Therefore, this variable, to some extent, may have a ceiling effect when practiced in a non-intensive way.…”

“…Evidence consistent with Buddhist theory has demonstrated that non-attachment is psychologically and socially adaptive. We used a Spanish validated version with adequate properties in meditators (α = 0.95) and non-meditators (α = 0.94) (Feliu-Soler et al, 2016). …”

Meditation awareness training for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

“…Some SG‐MBIs also introduce participants to meditative concepts such as impermanence, interconnectedness, non‐self or emptiness, and non‐attachment (Shonin & Van Gordon, ). The introduction of the non‐attachment principle is based on the Buddhist view that suffering arises as a result of an individual's ‘attachment’ to both themselves and external phenomena (e.g., wealth, people, and reputation; Feliu‐Soler et al ., ). The Buddhist notion of attachment has been defined as ‘the over‐allocation of cognitive and emotional resources towards a particular object, construct, or idea to the extent that the object is assigned an attractive quality that is unrealistic and that exceeds its intrinsic worth’ (Shonin, Van Gordon, & Griffiths, , p. 126).…”

Meditation-Induced Near-Death Experiences: a 3-Year Longitudinal Study

“…wealth, people, reputation, etc. ; Feliu-Soler et al 2016). The Buddhist notion of attachment has been defined as “the over-allocation of cognitive and emotional resources towards a particular object, construct, or idea to the extent that the object is assigned an attractive quality that is unrealistic and that exceeds its intrinsic worth” (Shonin et al 2014, p. 126).…”