Metacognitions questionnaire (MCQ65)

The MCQ is 65-item measure of beliefs about worrying thoughts‚ attitudes and processes associated with cognition. The scale consists of 5 factor-derived subscales including positive beliefs; beliefs about uncontrollability and danger of thoughts; cognitive confidence; need for control‚ responsibility and punishment and cognitive self-consciousness (Wells‚ 1997). The subscales demonstrate adequate to good internal consistencies and adequate to very good test-retest reliabilities (Roemer‚ 2001).
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
 
Copyright 1999: Contact A. Wells‚ University of Manchester‚ Academic Division of Clinical Psychology.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. Adrian Wells‚ University of Manchester Department of Clinical Psychology‚ Rawnsley Building‚ Manchester Royal Infirmary‚ Manchester‚ UK. Fax: 0161 273 2135. Email: [email protected]
 
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