Validation of a Chinese version of the short form of Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30)

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the short form of Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30), which is an effective tool to assess metacognitive beliefs that have been linked to mental disturbance/disorder. We also tested whether metacognition factors would correlate with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) tendency.

Methods: Six hundred and eighty Chinese university students (Mean age=19.72, SD=1.38; 31.9% male) voluntarily completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Using standard translation procedures, the MCQ-30 items were translated from English into Chinese language and then back-translated. Depression, anxiety, and IGD tendency were assessed by validated scales.

Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results supported the five-factor structure of the MCQ-30, with satisfactory model fit and good reliability. Criterion-related validity was also supported by significant positive correlations between the five factors and depression/anxiety symptoms. All of the five metacognition factors were also significantly correlated with IGD tendency, with positive beliefs about worry and cognitive confidence being the most salient factor after controlling for gender and age.

Limitations: This study did not examine the test-retest reliability of this scale, and the generalizability of the findings to other age groups remains unclear.

Conclusions: This study showed satisfactory psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the MCQ-30 and is the first to demonstrate a positive association between specific metacognition factors and IGD tendency among Chinese people. The latter finding supports an application of metacognitive therapy to the treatment of behavioral addictions, including IGD.

Keywords: Chinese; Internet gaming disorder; Metacognition; University students; Validation.