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The Beliefs about Paranoia Scale: Confirmatory factor analysis and tests of a metacognitive model of paranoia in a clinical sample

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Douglas Turkington

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Abstract

This study aimed to confirm the factor structure of the Beliefs about Paranoia Scale (BaPS), a self-report measure to assess metacognitive beliefs about paranoia, and to test hypotheses of a metacognitive model. We hypothesised that positive and negative beliefs about paranoia would be associated with severity of suspiciousness, and that the co-occurrence of positive and negative beliefs would be associated with increased suspiciousness. A total of 335 patients meeting criteria for a schizophrenia spectrum disorder completed the BaPS, the Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale (PANSS), and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Confirmatory factor analysis verified that the three BaPS subscales (negative beliefs about paranoia, paranoia as a survival strategy, and normalizing beliefs) were an adequate fit of the data. Ordinal regression showed that positive beliefs about paranoia as a survival strategy and negative beliefs were both associated with severity of suspiciousness. This was the first study to show that the co-occurrence of positive and negative beliefs was associated with increased suspiciousness. All hypotheses were confirmed, suggesting that a metacognitive approach has utility for the conceptualization of paranoia. Clinical implications suggest a role for metacognitive therapy, including strategies such as detached mindfulness and worry postponement.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Murphy EK, Tully S, Pyle M, Gumley AI, Kingdon D, Schwannauer M, Turkington D, Morrison AP

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Psychiatry Research

Year: 2017

Volume: 248

Pages: 87-94

Print publication date: 01/02/2017

Online publication date: 12/11/2016

Acceptance date: 02/11/2016

ISSN (print): 0165-1781

ISSN (electronic): 1872-7123

Publisher: Elsevier Ireland

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.11.012

DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.11.012


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