Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-65)

Abstract

The Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ65) is a widely utilized 65-item self-report instrument designed to measure dysfunctional beliefs, attitudes, and cognitive processes related to metacognition, particularly concerning worrying thoughts. Developed by Adrian Wells, the MCQ65 assesses five distinct factors that underpin various psychological disorders, especially Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The scale is essential for researchers and clinicians adopting the Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) approach, providing a structured assessment of maladaptive cognitive styles.

Keywords

Metacognition, MCQ65, Adrian Wells, Cognitive Therapy, Worry, Metacognitive beliefs, Psychological assessment, Self-consciousness, Cognitive confidence, Self-report scale.

Authors

Adrian Wells, Roemer (Cited for psychometric data).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ65) is to quantitatively assess an individual’s metacognitive beliefs—that is, their beliefs about the nature, control, and significance of their own thoughts, particularly intrusive and worrying thoughts. The scale distinguishes between five specific domains of metacognitive functioning, allowing clinicians to pinpoint specific belief patterns that contribute to psychological distress and maintain disorders such as anxiety and depression. It serves as a diagnostic aid and an outcome measure in Metacognitive Therapy (MCT).

Construct

The MCQ65 measures the construct of dysfunctional metacognition. Metacognition refers to the knowledge and regulation of one’s own cognitive processes. In the context of the MCQ65, the construct focuses on maladaptive beliefs that lead to excessive monitoring, perseverative thinking (like rumination or worry), and ineffective cognitive coping strategies. These beliefs are categorized into five core domains representing different facets of how individuals perceive and attempt to manage their internal mental experiences.

Validity

The validity of the MCQ65 is primarily supported by its strong factor structure, which corresponds theoretically to the Metacognitive Model proposed by Wells. The five-factor solution has been repeatedly confirmed through factor analysis in both clinical and non-clinical samples, demonstrating strong construct validity. Furthermore, the MCQ65 exhibits good concurrent and predictive validity, showing significant correlations with measures of anxiety, depression, and generalized worry, thus confirming that it accurately measures the intended pathological metacognitive processes integral to these disorders.

Reliability

The MCQ65 demonstrates robust psychometric properties across various studies. The subscales exhibit adequate to good levels of internal consistencies, typically measured using Cronbach’s alpha, indicating that items within each factor reliably measure the same underlying construct. Furthermore, the instrument shows adequate to very good test-retest reliabilities (Roemer, 2001), suggesting that the scores remain stable over time, assuming the individual’s underlying metacognitive beliefs have not fundamentally changed. This stability is critical for using the scale in longitudinal research and clinical tracking.

Factor Analysis

The MCQ65 is structured around five factor-derived subscales, which collectively account for the variance in metacognitive beliefs related to dysfunctional thinking. These five factors are:

• Positive beliefs about worry: Beliefs that worrying is beneficial, useful, or necessary (e.g., helps with organization or problem avoidance).
• Beliefs about the uncontrollability and danger of worry: Beliefs that worrying is harmful, uncontrollable, or may lead to mental or physical collapse.
• Cognitive confidence: Beliefs relating to self-assurance in one’s cognitive abilities, such as memory and attention. Lower confidence indicates difficulty knowing if something was imagined or actually done.
• Need for control, responsibility, and punishment: Beliefs reflecting the necessity of controlling thoughts and feelings, and the perceived moral obligation or danger associated with failing to control them.
• Cognitive self-consciousness: The tendency to constantly monitor and attend to one’s own thoughts and internal mental processes.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Questionnaire

Format: 65 items responded to on a 4-point Likert scale.

Language Available: Primarily English, though numerous translations exist and are validated for cross-cultural use.

Population Group: Clinical populations (e.g., GAD, OCD, Depression) and non-clinical adult populations.

Age Group: Adults (typically 18 years and older).

Population Details: The scale is utilized across a wide spectrum of psychopathology where dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs are implicated, particularly within the framework of Metacognitive Therapy.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the extent to which they agree with each statement using the following scale:

1. Do not agree
2. Agree slightly
3. Agree moderately
4. Agree very much

Keywords

Adrian Wells, Psychological scale, Metacognitive Therapy, GAD, Anxiety measurement, Cognitive processes, Psychological measurement, Psychometrics.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

Correspondence Address: Dr. Adrian Wells, University of Manchester Department of Clinical Psychology, Rawnsley Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The copyright for the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ65) is held by Adrian Wells, 1999, University of Manchester, Academic Division of Clinical Psychology. Requests for reprints, usage permissions, and inquiries regarding potential fees should be directed to the corresponding author via the provided contact details ([email protected]).

Reference’s

The development and initial validation of the MCQ65 are primarily attributed to:

• Wells, A. (1997). Metacognitive Therapy for Anxiety and Depression. Guilford Press.
• Roemer, E. (2001). Cited for reliability data in the source content.

The following original PDF resources are associated with the scale or related research:

• The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470713662.app2/pdf
• The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470713662.app1/pdf
• The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/4026/1/j-swinbourne-thesis.pdf

Items of the Metacognitions questionnaire (MCQ65)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

MCQ

1= Do not agree‚ 2= Agree slightly‚ 3 = Agree moderately‚ 4=Agree very much

1. Worrying helps me to avoid problems in the future
2. My worrying is dangerous for me
3. l have difficulty knowing if I have actually done something or just imagined it.
4. I think a lot about my thoughts
5. l could make myself sick with worrying
6. I am aware of the way my mind works when l am thinking through a problem
7. If I did not control a worrying thought‚ and then it happened‚ it would be my fault.
8. If I let my worrying thoughts get out of control‚ they will end up controlling me
9. l need to worry in order to remain organised.
10. I have little confidence in my memory for words and names
11. My worrying thoughts persist‚ no matter how I try to stop them.
12. Worrying helps me to get things sorted out in my mind
13. I cannot ignore my worrying thoughts.
14. I monitor my thoughts
15. I should be in control of my thoughts all of the time.
16. My memory can mislead me at times
17. I could be punished for not ha‎ving certain thoughts
18. My worrying could make me go mad
19. If I do not stop my worrying thoughts‚ they could come true….
20. I rarely question my thoughts
21. Worrying puts my body under a lot of stress
22. Worrying helps me to avoid disastrous situations
23. l am constantly aware of my thinking
24. I have a poor memory
25. l pay close attention to the way my mind works
26. People who do not worry‚ have no depth
27. Worrying helps me cope
28. I imagine ha‎ving not done things and then doubt my memory for doing them.
29. Not being able to control my thoughts is a sign of weakness
30. If l did not worry‚ I would make more mistakes
31. I find it difficult to control my thoughts
32. Worrying is a sign of a good person
33. Worrying thoughts enter my head against my will
34. If I could not control my thoughts I would go crazy
35. l will lose out in life if l do not worry
36. When l start worrying I cannot stop
37. Some thoughts will always need to be controlled
38. I need to worry‚ in order to get things done.
39. I will be punished for not controlling certain thoughts
40. My thoughts interfere with my concentration
41. It is alright to let my thoughts roam free
42. I worry about my thoughts.
43. I am easily distracted.
44. My worrying thoughts are not productive.
45. Worry can stop me from seeing a situation clearly
46. Worrying helps me to solve problems.
47. I have little confidence in my memory for places
48. My worrying thoughts are uncontrollable.
49. It is bad to think certain thoughts.
50. If I do not control my thoughts‚ I may end up embarrassing myself
51. I do not trust my memory
52. I do my clearest thinking when I am worrying
53. My worrying thoughts appear automatically
54. l would be selfish if I never worried
55. If l could not control my thoughts‚ I would not be able to function
56. I need to worry‚ in order to work well.
57. l have little confidence in my memory for actions
58. I have difficulty keeping my mind focused on one thing for a long time
59. If a bad thing happens which I have not worried about‚ I feel responsible
60. It would not be normal‚ if I did not worry
61. I constantly examine my thoughts
62. If I stopped worrying‚ l would become glib‚ arrogant and offensive
63. Worrying helps me to plan the future more effectively
64. I would be a stronger person if I could worry less
65. It would be stupid and complacent not to worry