Evaluation of factor structure and psychometric properties of the Croatian translation of the Metacognitive Beliefs in Health Anxiety Questionnaire

Brezak, Ira. (2018). Evaluation of factor structure and psychometric properties of the Croatian translation of the Metacognitive Beliefs in Health Anxiety Questionnaire. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Jokić-Begić, Nataša].

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Abstract

According to the metacognitive model, emotional disorders emerge from dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs. For the purpose of better understanding of health anxiety and its mechanisms, Metacognitive Beliefs in Health Anxiety Questionnaire was developed (MCQ-HA, Bailey & Wells, 2015). The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of this questionnaire, specifically internal consistency and convergent validity of the Croatian translation. An online survey was conducted using the snowball method with a non-clinical sample of 441 adults (68% F, 32% M). Principal axis factor analysis with promax rotation yielded three factors, named Beliefs that thoughts can cause illness, Beliefs about biased thinking and Beliefs that thoughts are uncontrollable, which is consistent with previous research. Factors are moderately to strongly correlated with each other. The results indicate a high level of internal consistency of the overall result and subscales, as well as an acceptable convergent validity, confirmed by positive correlations with Health Anxiety Questionnaire, Short Cyberchondria Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. It was concluded that the MCQ-HA has satisfactory psychometric properties. Limitations and practical implications are discussed, as well as the recommendations for future research.

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