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. 2018 Sep;25(5):710-720.
doi: 10.1002/cpp.2301. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Assessment of metacognitive beliefs in an at risk mental state for psychosis: A validation study of the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30

Measha Bright  1   2 , Sophie Parker  1   2 , Paul French  1   2 , Anthony P Morrison  1   2 , Sarah Tully  1 , Suzanne L K Stewart  3 , Adrian Wells  1
Affiliations

Assessment of metacognitive beliefs in an at risk mental state for psychosis: A validation study of the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30

Measha Bright et al. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Aim: The Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) has been used to assess metacognitive beliefs in a range of mental health problems. The aim of this study is to assess the validity of the MCQ-30 in people at risk for psychosis.

Methods: One hundred eighty-five participants meeting criteria for an at risk mental state completed the MCQ-30 as part of their involvement in a randomized controlled trial. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted to assess factor structure and construct validity.

Results: Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the original five-factor structure of the MCQ-30. Examination of principal component analysis and parallel analysis outputs also suggested a five-factor structure. Correlation analyses including measures of depression, social anxiety, and beliefs about paranoia showed evidence of convergent validity. Discriminant validity was supported using the normalizing subscale of the beliefs about paranoia tool.

Conclusions: The MCQ-30 demonstrated good fit using the original five-factor model, acceptable to very good internal consistency of items was evident and clinical usefulness in those at risk for psychosis was demonstrated.

Keywords: ARMS; MCQ-30; at risk for psychosis; metacognitive beliefs; psychosis; validity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Final model for five‐factor confirmatory factor analysis with all errors correlated (standardized estimates). N = 185. Ovals represent Metacognitions Questionnaire‐30 (MCQ‐30) subscales (POS: positive beliefs about worry; NEG: negative beliefs about uncontrollability and danger; CC: cognitive confidence; NC: negative beliefs about the need to control thoughts; CSC: cognitive self‐consciousness). Boxes represent MCQ‐30 items (e.g., MCQ1: Question 1 of MCQ‐30 measure). Circles: errors. Double headed curved arrows: correlations. Straight arrows from subscales to items: regression weights [Colour figure can be viewed at http://wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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