Developing a Japanese version of the mental pollution questionnaire and examining the cognitions that contribute to mental contamination

Abstract

Mental contamination is the experience of contamination-related feelings of dirtiness despite the absence of direct physical contact with a contaminant. These feelings of dirtiness may be evoked by unwanted thoughts and memories of negative events such as ill treatment or sexual assault. This paper is composed of two related studies. The aim of Study 1 (n = 202 for factor analysis; n = 81 for test-retest reliability) was to develop a Japanese version of the Mental Pollution Questionnaire (MPQ-J), an instrument for measuring mental contamination. The aim of Study 2 (n = 236) was to confirm this instrument's psychometric properties and to test the hypothesis that cognitions related to responsibility and morality predict feelings of mental contamination. After conducting factor analyses, the final version of the MPQ-J yielded eight items and two subscales. The psychometric properties of the MPQ-J were verified by examining correlations with general psychopathology measures. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that cognitions related to responsibility and morality made unique contributions to MPQ-J scores after controlling for symptoms of contact contamination fears, depression, anxiety and personality traits. In conclusion, individuals with cognitions indicating an inflated sense of responsibility and high moral standards are at greater risk for mental contamination. Clinicians may find this helpful in identifying clients who are at risk for mental contamination.

Examining the Beliefs that Contribute to Mental Contamination

“…The inward contamination subscale pertains to a sense of inward contamination not linked to washing behaviours ('When I recall certain events, it leaves me feeling dirty.'). The reliability and validity of the MPQ-J were verified by Ishikawa, Kobori, and Shimizu [18].…”

“…Mental contamination Japanese version of Mental Pollution Questionnaire (MPQ-J [18]) was used to assess of mental contamination. MPQ-J is an eight-item self-report questionnaire.…”

“…Their study showed that the MPQ is a reliable and valid measure of mental contamination, or feelings of internal dirtiness. In Japan, Ishikawa, Kobori, and Shimizu [18] also developed a Japanese version of mental pollution questionnaire (MPQ-J).…”

Unwanted Sexual Experiences and Cognitive Appraisals That Evoke Mental Contamination

“…The validity and reliability of the OCI was reviewed by Foa et al (1998). The OCI was translated into Japanese (Iyo, Shimizu, Tanno and Kobori, 2010), and the internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was found to be .82 (Ishikawa, Kobori and Shimizu, 2012).…”