title: Measuring metacognition in cancer: validation of the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 assesses metacognitive beliefs and processes which are central to the metacognitive model of emotional disorder. As recent studies have begun to explore the utility of this model for understanding emotional distress after cancer diagnosis, it is important also to assess the validity of the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 for use in cancer populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  229 patients with primary breast or prostate cancer completed the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale pre-treatment and again 12 months later. The structure and validity of the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 were assessed using factor analyses and structural equation modelling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses provided evidence supporting the validity of the previously published 5-factor structure of the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30. Specifically, both pre-treatment and 12 months later, this solution provided the best fit to the data and all items loaded on their expected factors. Structural equation modelling indicated that two dimensions of metacognition (positive and negative beliefs about worry) were significantly associated with anxiety and depression as predicted, providing further evidence of validity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide initial evidence that the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 is a valid measure for use in cancer populations.
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sharon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.affiliation: The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000067489:Metacognition; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires