Development and initial validation of a scale to measure cognitive fusion
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Date
2009Author
Dempster, Maria A.
Metadata
Abstract
Aim: This thesis describes the development and initial validation of a questionnaire to
measure Hayes, Strosahl and Wilson’s (1999) constructs of cognitive fusion and cognitive
defusion. Within the literature there is currently no specific measure of these constructs.
Design and Method: Principal Component Analysis was conducted on two independent
samples (Study One n = 425 and Study Two n = 167). Reliability analyses were conducted
for both Study One and Study Two and validation analyses were conducted in Study Two.
All participants in both studies completed the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ).
Participants in Study Two completed additional measures related to their satisfaction with
life, their beliefs about worry, mindful responding to unpleasant thoughts and images and
levels of experiential avoidance. Results: The final solution revealed a two component fifteen item questionnaire accounting
for 54% of the variance. Based on item content, the components were labelled fusion and
defusion. The items within the questionnaire reflected Hayes et al. (1999) constructs of
cognitive fusion and cognitive defusion. Internal consistencies as measured by Cronbach’s
alpha were .91 (fusion), .71 (defusion) and .88 (total scale). The measure correlated
moderately to highly and in the expected directions with questionnaires measuring individual
beliefs about worry, mindful responding to unpleasant thoughts and images and levels of
experiential avoidance. Similarly, there was a significant negative correlation between the
current questionnaire and a measure related to satisfaction with life. Conclusions: The findings of the above research provide initial support for the CFQ. The
results show support for the validity of the scale including content and convergent validity of
the CFQ.