Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire 

Description: 

 

This instrument is based on a factor analytic study of five independently developed 
mindfulness questionnaires. The analysis yielded five factors that appear to represent 
elements of mindfulness as it is currently conceptualized. The five facets are observing, 
describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and non-reactivity to 
inner experience. More information is available in: 

 

 

 

Please rate each of the following statements using the scale provided. Write the number 
in the blank that best describes your own opinion of what is generally true for you. 

 

 1 2 3 4 5 

 never or very rarely sometimes often very often or 

 rarely true true true true always true 

 

 

_____ 1. When IÕm walking, I deliberately notice the sensations of my body moving. 

_____ 2. IÕm good at finding words to describe my feelings. 

_____ 3. I criticize myself for having irrational or inappropriate emotions. 

_____ 4. I perceive my feelings and emotions without having to react to them. 

_____ 5. When I do things, my mind wanders off and IÕm easily distracted. 

_____ 6. When I take a shower or bath, I stay alert to the sensations of water on my 

 body. 

_____ 7. I can easily put my beliefs, opinions, and expectations into words. 

_____ 8. I donÕt pay attention to what IÕm doing because IÕm daydreaming, worrying, or 

 otherwise distracted. 

_____ 9. I watch my feelings without getting lost in them. 

_____ 10. I tell myself I shouldnÕt be feeling the way IÕm feeling. 

_____ 11. I notice how foods and drinks affect my thoughts, bodily sensations, and 

 emotions. 

_____ 12. ItÕs hard for me to find the words to describe what IÕm thinking. 

_____ 13. I am easily distracted. 

_____ 14. I believe some of my thoughts are abnormal or bad and I shouldnÕt think that 

 way. 


_____ 15. I pay attention to sensations, such as the wind in my hair or sun on my face. 

_____ 16. I have trouble thinking of the right words to express how I feel about things 

_____ 17. I make judgments about whether my thoughts are good or bad. 

_____ 18. I find it difficult to stay focused on whatÕs happening in the present. 

_____ 19. When I have distressing thoughts or images, I Òstep backÓ and am aware of the 

 thought or image without getting taken over by it. 

_____ 20. I pay attention to sounds, such as clocks ticking, birds chirping, or cars 

 passing. 

_____ 21. In difficult situations, I can pause without immediately reacting. 

_____ 22. When I have a sensation in my body, itÕs difficult for me to describe it because 

 I canÕt find the right words. 

_____ 23. It seems I am Òrunning on automaticÓ without much awareness of what IÕm 

 doing. 

 _____24. When I have distressing thoughts or images, I feel calm soon after. 

_____ 25. I tell myself that I shouldnÕt be thinking the way IÕm thinking. 

_____ 26. I notice the smells and aromas of things. 

_____ 27. Even when IÕm feeling terribly upset, I can find a way to put it into words. 

_____ 28. I rush through activities without being really attentive to them. 

_____ 29. When I have distressing thoughts or images I am able just to notice them 

 without reacting. 

_____ 30. I think some of my emotions are bad or inappropriate and I shouldnÕt feel 

 them. 

_____ 31. I notice visual elements in art or nature, such as colors, shapes, textures, or 

 patterns of light and shadow. 

_____ 32. My natural tendency is to put my experiences into words. 

_____ 33. When I have distressing thoughts or images, I just notice them and let them go. 

_____ 34. I do jobs or tasks automatically without being aware of what IÕm doing. 

_____ 35. When I have distressing thoughts or images, I judge myself as good or bad, 

 depending what the thought/image is about. 

_____ 36. I pay attention to how my emotions affect my thoughts and behavior. 

_____ 37. I can usually describe how I feel at the moment in considerable detail. 

_____ 38. I find myself doing things without paying attention. 

_____ 39. I disapprove of myself when I have irrational ideas. 


Scoring Information: 

 

Observe items: 

1, 6, 11, 15, 20, 26, 31, 36 

 

Describe items: 

2, 7, 12R, 16R, 22R, 27, 32, 37 

 

Act with Awareness items: 

5R, 8R, 13R, 18R, 23R, 28R, 34R, 38R 

 

Nonjudge items: 

3R, 10R, 14R, 17R, 25R, 30R, 35R, 39R 

 

Nonreact items: 

4, 9, 19, 21, 24, 29, 33 

 

 

Reference: 

Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self- 

report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13, 27-
45.