Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
https://trends.org.br/journal/trends/article/doi/10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0444
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Original Article

Validation and clinical application of the Metacognitions Questionnaire in a sample of Brazilian generalized anxiety disorder patients: the effects of different treatment interventions

Julia Karl Schwinn, Sofia Giusti Alves, Marianna de Abreu Costa, Francine Gonçalves, Carolina Blaya Dreher, Gisele Gus Manfro

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Keywords

Generalized anxiety disorder, metacognition, MCQ-30, mindfulness-based interventions, Body in Mind Training, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

References

Introduction
Metacognitive beliefs about worry may trigger anxiety. However, the effect of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment on metacognition has not yet been investigated.

Objectives
To validate the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) in a Brazilian GAD sample and verify whether different interventions reduce metacognitive beliefs.

Method
We recruited 180 GAD individuals and randomized them to Body in Mind Training (BMT), Fluoxetine (FLX), or an active control group (Quality of Life [QoL]) for 8 weeks. The MCQ-30 was assessed for internal consistency, was evaluated with confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, and was tested for convergent validity with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to analyze differences after the interventions.

Results
The MCQ-30 demonstrated good internal consistency and acceptability; the original five-factor model was supported. There was a positive moderate correlation between MCQ-30 scores and worry. GEE showed a significant group x time interaction (p < 0.001). Both BMT (mean difference [MD] = -6.04, standard error [SE] = -2.39, p = 0.034) and FLX (MD = -5.78, SE = 1.91, p = 0.007) reduced MCQ-30 scores. FLX was superior to QoL, but not BMT, at weeks 5 and 8. There were no differences between BMT and QoL.

Conclusion
The Brazilian-Portuguese version of MCQ-30 showed good psychometric properties. Furthermore, the positive effect of FLX and BMT on metacognition suggests it may represent a potential therapeutic target.


Submitted date:
12/13/2021

Accepted date:
05/05/2022

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