Abstract
Surveyed Sacramento State Master’s in Social Work practice students’ demonstrated knowledge identifying the traditional construct for mindfulness skills and traits on the Mindfulness Skills and Traits Questionnaire (MST-Q). Respondents also critically assessed alternative skills and traits on the MST-Q. Findings showed promise for two alternative skill traits knowing and signifying. Alternative variable traits were expression of feeling through creativity, and symbolic spoken language to convey suffering. Past memories and reflection of ancestors were unaccepted as alternative mindfulness traits. Future graduate social work education should inquire how reflective attributes are relational for ethnically diverse aging populations to manage present awareness and feelings when employing mindfulness interventions.