Objectives: Recent research has suggested that specific metacognitions may play a role in the activation and escalation of desire thinking and craving. The goal of this research project was to develop the first self-report instrument of metacognitions about desire thinking.
Method: We conducted three studies with nonclinical samples (N = 213, N = 279, N = 60) to construct the Metacognitions about Desire Thinking Questionnaire (MDTQ) and test its structure and psychometric properties. A fourth study was added to test the predictive validity of MDTQ in a sample of alcohol abusers (N = 75).
Results: Explorative and confirmatory factor analysis supported a 3-factor solution: positive metacognitions about desire thinking, negative metacognitions about desire thinking, and need to control desire related thoughts. Internal consistency, divergent validity, temporal stability were also examined in a community sample and predictive validity was confirmed even in a sample of alcohol abusers.
Conclusions: The MDTQ was shown to possess good psychometric properties, as well as divergent and predictive validity within the populations that were tested.
Keywords: addiction; alcohol abuse; craving; desire thinking; metacognition.
© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.