Transcultural Adaption and Validation of Korean Version Freibrug Mindfulness Inventory (FMI): Assessing Mindfulness in Forest Therapy Sessions

Abstract

Forest therapy is associated with several health advantages, such as stress reduction and improved psychological health. Mindfulness, an important component of forest therapy, is also associated with improved health outcomes. However, few studies have empirically evaluated mindfulness in forest therapy settings. This study translated the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) in the context of forest therapy into Korean and then validated it. (1) Methods: This study included 352 individuals. Four other psychometric tools were administered to ensure criterion validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were implemented to determine the factor structure. Furthermore, item validity was assessed using item response theory. (2) Findings: A two-factor structure of the FMI, comprising acceptance and presence, was the most suitable. However, excluding item 13 enhanced the model fit (χ2 [df] = 169.9 [64], comparative fit index = 0.93, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.92, root mean square error of approximation = 0.069). The FMI had satisfactory psychometric properties. (3) Conclusion: The FMI was translated into Korean and validated, serving as a valuable instrument for assessing mindfulness in the context of forest therapy. We identified that item 13 should be excluded. Our results demonstrate the potential effects of mindfulness on mental health in forest therapy.