Breathe Well, Be Well: Development and Validation of the Perceived Breath Mastery Scale (PBM-S)

Breathing interventions are a commonly used and effective tool for improving well-being. However, assessments of breathing are seldom included within these interventions, which limits understanding of how specific aspects of breathing contribute to specific changes in well-being. Existing assessments of breathing are not well suited for use in well-being interventions because they typically only capture negative aspects of breathing, such as dysfunction. The present study aimed to address this gap by developing and evaluating the first positive, self-report breathing measure (the Perceived Breath Mastery Scale [PBM-S]). Expert panel review and exploratory factor analysis led to a 3-factor, 23-item scale that showed good structural validity. Criterion, discriminant, incremental, and known-group validity were also established. The PBM-S proved to be a better predictor of flourishing than well-established measures, such as mindfulness and self-efficacy. We also used a machine learning algorithm to construct a 9-item version of the PBM-S and a 12-item version that included dysfunctional breathing as a fourth factor. We recommend using the PBM-S instruments in breathing interventions to deepen insights into the psychological processes they affect and to customize, assess, and enhance interventions for targeted well-being outcomes.