Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Short Form of the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30)

ABSTRACT. Introduction: The Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) is a scale which measures a range of metacognitive beliefs and processes relevant to vulnerability and maintenance of emotional disorders. Past studies have shown that the original version of the MCQ-30 has good psychometric characteristics and it is a brief, reliable and valid self-reporting measure of metacognitions. Despite other Italian versions that were proposed, this study presents the validation and adaptation to the Italian context of the MCQ-30 to the Italian context. Methods. 306 participants took part in this study and took the Italian version of MCQ-30. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and corrected item-total correlations. Reliability and convergent validity were verified and the stability of the MCQ-30 was tested. An exploratory factor analysis was run and examined using the five-factor solution of the English version. Results. The results demonstrated good psychometric properties for the MCQ-30 Italian version. The MCQ-30 showed satisfactory internal consistency and convergent validity, and had a good test-retest reliability. Moreover the confirmatory factor analysis affirmed the five-factor solution. Conclusions. The Italian version of MCQ-30 has good psychometric properties and appears to be a valid and reliable tool for clinical research in the area of metacognition.