The Metacognitions about Symptoms Control Scale: Development and Concurrent Validity

Abstract

Objective: This paper presents the development and preliminary validation of a self-report instrument designed to measure metacognitions pertaining to symptoms control in the form of: (1) symptoms focusing; and (2) Regression analysis revealed that positive and negative metacognitions about symptoms control significantly predicted fatigue severity when controlling for anxiety and depression. Conclusions:The newly developed instrument may help future research that examines the role of metacognitions in CFS, as well as aiding clinical assessment and case formulation. Key Practitioner MessageThe MaSCS is a useful first instrument to assess metacognitions in CFS.The MaSCS may help to deepen our understanding of symptoms control (symptoms focusing and conceptual thinking about symptoms) in the experience of CFS symptoms.Assessing and conceptualising symptoms control through the MaSCS may aid treatment of CFS.

The relationship between negative metacognitive thoughts, pain catastrophizing and adjustment to chronic pain

“…The MCQ‐30 measures general metacognitive constructs that do not directly and specifically address pain. Use of targeted measures of metacognition, such as the metacognitions about Symptom Control Scale (Fernie et al., ), may reveal findings disparate from those reported here. Additionally, while the cross‐sectional nature of our results does not allow us to determine whether metacognitive beliefs and pain catastrophizing can be considered distinct therapeutic targets, this study provides evidence that metacognitive processes have implications at the daily level, and their effects in our analyses may be best interpreted as a more stable marker of poor psychological adjustment to pain.…”

The Unintentional Procrastination Scale

“…Fernie et al 2014). Thirty-four participants reported that they had undergone psychotherapy previously that is not on going.…”

Thinking about motor fluctuations: An examination of metacognitions in Parkinson's disease

“…One participant noted the inability to control the thoughts (#5), another (#6) increasing stress, and one a negative impact on concentration (#9). Negative SF metacognitions pertained to an increased awareness of symptoms leading to an increase in their severity (#2), a worsening of mood (#3, 7,9), and a restriction of activities (#10). One participant's negative SF metacognition related to the risk of believing they were experiencing an off-period when they were not (#7).…”

“…Nine participants described positive CTS metacognitions and three SF metacognitions. The most common theme of the positive CTS metacognitions concerned beliefs about controlling or coping better with symptoms including motor fluctuations (participants #1, 3,4,6,7,9,10) with one participant taking it as a signifier of strength of character (#2). Positive SF metacognitions again related to beliefs about better control over symptoms but less consistently than for CTS (#7,10).…”

“…With both measures, higher scores indicate an increased tendency to worry or ruminate. Finally, the 17-item Metacognitions about Symptom Control Scale (MaSCS) was used to assess general levels of positive and negative metacognitions pertaining to both CTS and SF [9]. Higher scores on the MaSCS indicate the presence of stronger beliefs in positive and negative metacognitions.…”