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Construction and validation of an Italian dysfunctional beliefs questionnaire

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Abstract

With reference to the rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) framework model, the purpose of the present study was to develop a multidimensional scale regarding dysfunctional beliefs of young people, and to clarify its factor structure. In line with this purpose, the dysfunctional beliefs questionnaire (DBQ) was developed. It is composed of four subscales measuring self-criticizing, catastrophizing, demandingness and frustration intolerance. Results reveal that the DBQ shows a good four-factor structure that represents the four subscales of the theoretical framework model. Furthermore, this result demonstrates adequate internal consistency reliability and supports the validity of the DBQ in terms of construct convergent (assessed with the personality belief questionnaire) and divergent validity (assessed with intelligence and coping strategies). Findings also show that dysfunctional beliefs are negatively correlated with intelligence and blunting coping and partially correlated with monitoring coping. Clinical implications and the potential utility of examining the combined influence of other cognitive factors are highlighted.

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  1. Cognitive Empowerment Laboratory, Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychological, Educational, and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Via Concenzione, 6, 98122, Messina, Italy

    Rosa Angela Fabio, Tindara Caprì, Caterina Buzzai & Rossella Campana

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  1. Rosa Angela Fabio
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  2. Tindara Caprì
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Correspondence to Tindara Caprì.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Fabio, R.A., Caprì, T., Buzzai, C. et al. Construction and validation of an Italian dysfunctional beliefs questionnaire. Curr Psychol 40, 618–628 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-9958-8

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