Spanish and cross-cultural validation of the mind excessively wandering scale

IntroductionOver the last decade, excessive spontaneous mind wandering (MW) has been consistently associated with emotional disorders. The main aims of the present study were (1) to re-examine the factor structure of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS); (2) to validate the Spanish version of the MEWS; and (3) to conduct a cross-cultural validation of the MEWS in Spanish and UK samples. MethodsA forward/backward translation to Spanish was conducted. Data of 391 Spanish and 713 British non-clinical individuals were analysed. ResultsA revised 10-item version of the MEWS (MEWS-v2.0) demonstrated to be a valid instrument to assess MW. A 2-correlated factor structure properly captured the MEWS-v2.0 variance, accounting for two specific but interrelated dimensions (Uncontrolled thoughts and Mental Overactivity). DiscussionThe Spanish MEWS-v2.0 showed adequate internal consistency and construct validity, as well as appropriate convergent/divergent validity. Cross-cultural analyses showed that MEWS-v2.0 captured the same construct in both UK and Spanish samples. In conclusion, both Spanish and English MEWS-v2.0 demonstrated to be reliable measures to capture spontaneous MW phenomenon in non-clinical adult populations.

Automated summary

This study aimed to re-examine the factor structure of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS), validate the Spanish version of the MEWS, and conduct a cross-cultural validation of the MEWS in Spanish and UK samples. Results showed that the revised MEWS-v2.0 is a valid instrument to assess mind wandering, with two interrelated dimensions (uncontrolled thoughts and mental overactivity). The MEWS-v2.0 captured the same construct in both UK and Spanish samples.