Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the short form of the metacognition questionnaire (MCQ-30) in a non-clinical adult sample

Food addiction and associated factors in newly diagnosed patients with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional comparison with siblings and healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Despite the potential clinical and treatment relevance of food addiction (FA) among individuals with schizophrenia, the scientific literature on its characteristics and correlates within this population is sparse. Limited knowledge on FA in patients with schizophrenia may impede progress in developing effective treatments for pathological eating patterns and the common obesity and metabolic syndrome problems in this population. Considering these research gaps, the present study aimed to compare the nature and prevalence of FA symptoms among patients with first-episode schizophrenia, their siblings, and healthy controls. As a secondary objective, this study sought to examine the psychopathological correlates of FA in the patients' group.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia, from January to June 2024. A total of 112 newly diagnosed, clinically stabilized patients with first-episode schizophrenia, 77 of their unaffected siblings and 78 healthy controls were included. FA was assessed using the modified version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS 2.0). The Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were administered to the patients' group.

RESULTS

Findings showed a higher prevalence of FA in the patient group (32.1%) compared to both siblings (13.0%) and controls (9.0%). Siblings had higher FA scores compared to controls (16.12 ± 4.95 versus 15.00 ± 6.09; p < 0.001). After Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, higher FA scores were significantly associated with less cognitive self-consciousness (Beta = - 0.54), older age (Beta = 0.45), and higher psychological distress (Beta = 0.63).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that people with first-episode schizophrenia are likely to present with co-occurring FA, and experience associated distress. Findings also provide initial support for a possible connection between dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and FA in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting that cognitive self-consciousness may be a fundamental cognitive process in FA in this population. This may lend some theoretical and clinical implications for alleviating FA symptoms in schizophrenia.

Validation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale in a Sample of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adults

The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2) is a leading assessment of interoception. We examined the factor structure and psychometric characteristics of the MAIA-2 and its associations with psychopathology in a sample of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adults. Participants (N = 301) were recruited via Prolific Academic. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the MAIA-2 subscales, disordered eating, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. The eight-factor MAIA-2 demonstrated good model fit after removing Item 2. The MAIA-2 subscales were significantly positively associated with body appreciation and body satisfaction and negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. The MAIA-2 subscales also demonstrated several significant associations with disordered eating. Only Body Trust was significantly negatively associated with participants' perceived likelihood of making a future suicide attempt. This study provided preliminary evidence that the MAIA-2 is an adequate measure of interception in TGD samples.

The moderating role of COMT gene rs4680 polymorphism between maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Although the positive association between impairments in metacognitive capacity and negative symptoms in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders is widely evidenced in the literature, the explaining mechanisms of this association are still less known and poorly understood. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by testing the hypothesis that COMT rs4680 variants will act as moderators in the relationship between certain metacognitive domains and negative symptoms' severity.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was carried-out during the period between February and March 2024. A total of 115 biologically unrelated Arab (Lebanese) patients with schizophrenia were included.

RESULTS

After controlling for sex and duration of illness as a potential confounder, moderation analyses showed that the AG genotype of the COMT rs4680 served as a significant moderator between maladaptive metacognitive beliefs about cognitive confidence (i.e. lack of confidence in memory) and negative symptoms. In non-carriers of the COMT rs4680 AG genotype, lower cognitive confidence (i.e., more "lack of cognitive confidence") is significantly associated with greater negative symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that metacognition may be a relevant treatment target in the management of negative symptoms particularly in non-carriers of the COMT rs4680 AG genotype. Therefore, genetic testing could potentially be used to match patients with metacognitive interventions that are more likely to be effective in supporting recovery from negative symptoms.

Association between time perspective and metacognition among Lebanese adults: the mediating role of mindfulness

BACKGROUND

Mindfulness may serve as a component of metacognitive beliefs and can also be viewed as a form of time perspective. The interplay between time perspective and metacognitive beliefs remains understudied. Both aspects, however, display considerable stability over time and significantly influence an individual's life and well-being. Lebanon, marked by its diverse and complex history, struggles with various political, social, and economic challenges. This study offers a valuable and unprecedented opportunity to examine these connections within a distinct cultural context, shedding light on the unique experiences of the Lebanese population. Therefore, our research aims to investigate the connection between time perspective and metacognition, with a focus on the role of mindfulness as a mediator.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2022 and involved participants from various regions of Lebanon. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data and scales such as the Arabic versions of the 15-item Short Form of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, the Metacognitions Questionnaire, the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-2).

RESULTS

Our investigation recruited 423 participants. The analysis showed that individuals with a positive stance on their past, a hedonistic present, or a future-oriented outlook exhibited heightened levels of mindfulness. This elevated state of mindfulness, in turn, demonstrated a significant link to augmented cognitive self-consciousness (An increased introspection into one's own thoughts). We also observed a direct association between a future-focused time perspective and high scores of cognitive self-consciousness. Furthermore, mindfulness emerged as a crucial mediator in the relationships between time perspectives and negative beliefs about the danger of worry. Similarly, individuals with a positive view on their past, a hedonistic present orientation, or a future-focused mindset demonstrated elevated levels of mindfulness, which was correlated with less negative beliefs about the danger of worry. Notably, a positive past perspective was directly associated with less negative views on worry and the subsequent loss of control, whereas higher future focused time perspective scores was significantly and directly associated with more negative beliefs about worry, whereas more future focused time perspective was significantly and directly associated with more negative beliefs about worry.

CONCLUSION

Our findings found several meaningful associations between our variables, but it primarily underscored the significance of considering distinct subcomponents within mindfulness and psychopathological metacognition that may overlap, shedding light on their differential impacts on psychological well-being. We were also able to mirror the dual pathway theory of time perspective suggested in previous studies. These insights carry notable implications for the development and refinement of mindfulness-based and metacognitive interventions, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches that consider varying time perspectives. Continued investigation in this area promises to advance our understanding of these constructs and refine their practical applications in mental health interventions and well-being enhancement strategies.