Reliability and validity of an equanimity questionnaire: the two-factor equanimity scale (EQUA-S)

Background Many studies have revealed the positive impact of mindfulness training on mental health and proposed equanimity as a general outcome in contemplative research. Despite recent interest, relatively few studies have empirically examined equanimity and measurement instruments are still lacking. The main goal of this study was to develop an Equanimity Scale (the EQUA-S) in a Western population with or without meditation experience, based on previous definitions of equanimity, in order to investigate its relations with the relevant psychological constructs and health outcomes. Methods Adults from the general population (N = 265; Mage = 34.81) completed various measures: the EQUA-S, mindfulness, hyper-sensitivity, avoidance and fusion, impulsivity, personality, alexithymia, sensitivity to punishment and reward and frequency of problematic addictive behaviors. The dimensionality of the EQUA-S was examined using Factor Analyses. The convergent validity of this new scale was investigated using Pearson’s Correlations. Results The results of a factor analysis revealed two dimensions of equanimity: an even-minded state of mind (E-MSM) and a hedonic independence (HI) component. While the E-MSM was positively related to emotional stability, adaptive emotional regulation and several mindfulness-related abilities, HI was found to correlate negatively with addictive issues. Discussion The relations with personality constructs and possible related cognitive processes are discussed.

136 object or situation, and can be understood as the valence of stimuli. Similarly, Vago and 137 Silbersweig (2012) described equanimity as "impartiality without bias or discrimination arising 138 from a sense of detachment from the attraction or aversion to ongoing experience" (p. 2). 139 Mindfulness has been found to decouple initial automatic approach/avoidance craving reactions 140 from their hedonic tone (e.g., alcohol; see Ostafin, Bauer, & Myxter, 2012), because according to 141 this definition of equanimity, the approach/avoidance reaction is decreased (Papies et al., 2012). 142 As we have focused on equanimity as a quality of a balanced mind, the description of 143 equanimity as an even-minded state of mind and as the decoupling of desire from hedonic tone 144 also seems to encompass other definitions of equanimity. As was suggested above, equanimity 145 and mindfulness appear to be positively and significantly related to each other, without being 146 synonymous (Desbordes et al., 2015). Mindfulness has been described as the process or ability 147 of, paying attention to moment-by-moment experience (Kabat-Zinn, 1990), but its definition, 148 mechanisms, and components are much broader, leading to a wide range of operationalization 149 (e.g., Chiesa, 2013;Mikulas, 2011). Equanimity is a quality that may be developed through 227 reduce the frequency of impulse reactions, thus corresponding to the hedonic independence 228 component of equanimity. 229 The main aim of the present study was to develop and validate a self-reported equanimity 230 scale. We thus hypothesized the existence of two factors (even-minded state of mind and hedonic 231 independence components), which are related to distinct psychological constructs. This study 232 also aimed to investigate the possible relationships between equanimity and mental health. By 233 reducing craving and increasing emotional regulation, equanimity, as a state of hedonic 234 independence, can be a valuable mechanism in addressing addictive behaviors (Berridge & 235 Kringelbach, 2008;Robinson & Berridge, 2000). We predicted that hedonic independence, 236 which is closely related to a decrease in the approach reaction to pleasant experiences, would be 237 negatively and significantly related to addictive behaviors. Finally, according to Desbordes et al. 238 (2015), equanimity implies non-judgment, non-reactivity, and less automatic behavior in general. 239 Thus, we predicted that equanimity as an even-minded state would be positively associated with 240 the non-reactive and non-judging component of mindfulness, and with efficient coping strategies 241 (e.g., positive refocusing; see also Jermann, Van  Based on the literature review, 42 candidate items were created to correspond to existing 265 definitions. Some of these items were inspired by the "Ecuanimidad" subscale (Moscoso & 266 Merino Soto, 2017). Three judges who were familiar with the concept of equanimity individually 267 evaluated all these items before discussing their choices together. In the end, 25 were deemed to 268 be sufficiently relevant to be included. Of the 25 items, 12 were designed to assess the approach  Table 2). We used the available French version for each scale. We

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Using SPSS Statistic 24, factor analysis with oblimin rotation of the 12 items selected to 295 assess the even-minded state revealed a two-factor solution. The Kaiser measure of sampling 296 adequacy (KMO) was .84. Based on the Eigenvalue and the Screen plot, a one-factor model 297 appeared to provide the best fit for the data (EV = 4.28 for the first factor, and 1.42 for the 298 second). We ran another analysis by forcing a one-factor extraction. Three items failed to load 299 sufficiently on the first factor (i.e., a factor loading of less than .50). A second analysis was 300 therefore computed with the remaining nine items. This analysis revealed a first factor solution 301 with one item loading less than .50. Once this item had been withdrawn, a final analysis revealed 302 a clear one-factor solution of eight items with a Kaiser measure of sampling adequacy of .85. All 303 the items loaded appropriately on the single factor (factor loadings ranged from .55 to .72, see 304 Table 3).

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The 13 items selected to assess hedonic independence were entered into a factor analysis 306 with oblimin rotation. The KMO was .77, with an Eigenvalue of 3.6 for the first factor, and 1.3 307 for the second. Based on the Eigenvalue and the Screen plot, a one-factor model appeared to 308 provide the best fit for the data. Seven items failed to load sufficiently on this factor (i.e., a factor 309 loading of less than .50). A second analysis was computed with the remaining seven items which 310 revealed a clear one-factor solution, with all the items loading appropriately on a single factor 311 (factor loading ranged from .54 to .71, see Table 3 To answer this question, we performed a new factor analysis using all the items from the 318 two scales. Kaiser's measure of sampling adequacy was .80. Based on the Eigenvalues and an 319 examination of the screen plot, this analysis revealed two factors, with the first factor accounting 320 for 26.2% of the explained variance, and comprising all the items that assess even-minded state 321 of mind. The second factor accounted for 17.5% of the explained variance and comprising items 322 that assess hedonic independence. Consequently, even-minded state of mind and hedonic 323 independence were shown to be two distinct constructs. Although the two scales correlated 324 significantly (r = .174, p = .004), the size of the correlation was small (d = .35).

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The internal consistency of the two subscales was examined using Cronbach's alpha. For 326 the even-minded state of mind, Cronbach's alpha was equal to 0.81, while for hedonic 327 independence, it was 0.74. Thus, the two subscales of the EQUA-S had satisfactory internal 328 consistency (see Table 2). 329 Convergent validity with relevant psychological constructs 330 In order to assess convergent validity while controlling for each subscale of equanimity 331 (e.g., even-minded state while controlling for hedonic independence, and vice versa), we 332 calculated the partial correlation between the two subscales of equanimity and the relevant 333 psychological constructs (see Table 4). In the case of the FFMQ, the even-minded state was 334 related to nonreacting, to nonjudging, and to acting with awareness. We also found partial 335 negative correlations between the even-minded state of mind and the hyper-sensitivity score, one 336 subscale of alexithymia (i.e., identifying emotions), and the avoidance and fusion scale. Finally, 337 we identified a very strong negative correlation between the even-minded state of mind 338 component and neuroticism ( = -.74, p = .000). In order to test the robustness of the above 339 findings, we replicated our analyses controlling for neuroticism, age, and sex. The correlation 340 between the even-minded state of mind and nonreacting remained significant ( = .38, p = .000), 341 and the correlation was still marginally significant in relation to the avoidance and fusion 342 questionnaire ( = -.23, p = .054). However, the correlations between the even-minded state of 343 mind and the other components of the FFMQ (i.e., nonjudging, acting with awareness) as well as 344 the alexithymia identifying emotions subscale and hyper-sensitivity failed to reach significance. 345 Thus, our even-minded state subscale was found to be most closely related to nonreacting. 346 When the even-minded state of mind was controlled for, hedonic independence was 347 robustly and positively related to the acting with awareness component of the FFMQ. Hedonic 348 independence was also significantly and negatively related to hyper-sensitivity, to the avoidance 349 and fusion scale, to motor impulsivity, and to sensitivity to reward and punishment. In addition, 350 hedonic independence was positively and significantly related to conscientiousness. When age 351 and sex were controlled for, similar results were reached, except in the cases of the sensitivity to 352 punishment and the conscientiousness subscale, which failed to reach significance. Analyses 353 with cognitive and non-planned impulsivity were not interpreted due to their low internal 354 reliability (see Table 2).  Table 4) reveal that among the emotional regulation strategies 360 assessed by the CERQ and the ERQ, even-minded state of mind was positively and significantly 361 correlated with adaptive regulation strategies (i.e., positive reappraisal, refocus on planning, 362 putting into perspective, and acceptance), and negatively related to inadequate strategies (i.e., 363 rumination, catastrophizing). When we controlled for age, sex and neuroticism, the same results 364 were found, except in the case of refocus on planning and rumination.

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Hedonic independence was significantly correlated with positive refocusing, refocus on 366 planning, and rumination. When age and sex were controlled for, similar results emerged, except 367 in the case of rumination. Finally, hedonic independence was significantly and negatively related 368 to addictive behaviors and to problematic eating behaviors (i.e., AIEQ). We found similar results 369 when we controlled for age and sex.
370 Correlation with socio-demographic variables 371 We combined the two samples (A and B) into a single data set in order to measure In this study, we aimed to validate a scale measuring equanimity in a population of non-385 meditators. Based on existing theories, we proposed two related but distinct components of 386 equanimity: (1) even-minded state of mind, and (2) hedonic independence. As was predicted, a 387 two-factor model fitted well with the data. These two factors were positively correlated with 388 each other, but they also shared a small amount of variance. This finding was confirmed by many 389 distinct correlations with other measures as well as through a factor analysis. In addition, these 390 two components of equanimity displayed adequate internal consistency.

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The first component refers to equanimity as an even-minded state of mind, which means an 392 individual staying calm and feeling low stress, irrespective of the emotional evaluation of the 393 situation or the stimuli. However, we found, first, that the even-minded state of mind shared a 394 large amount of variance with neuroticism, which has been described as the opposite of  Overall, the EQUA-S represents a useful tool for researchers who wish to study 434 equanimity. We hope that this new instrument will help to stimulate research in this promising 435 area.        5 6 Note: *** p < .001, ** p < .01; * p < .05. Partial r provides correlations, with the other factor of equanimity 7 controlled for (i.e., E-MSM controlling for hedonic independence and HI controlling for E-MSM).