1
|
Thingbak A, Capobianco L, Wells A, O'Toole MS. Relationships between metacognitive beliefs and anxiety and depression in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 361:36-50. [PMID: 38815761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As hypothesized in the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model, metacognitive beliefs are associated with anxiety and depression in adults. An important question is the extent to which such effects are present in children and adolescents, with the implication that the model may also apply to young people. The aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesize results on the nature and magnitude of associations between metacognitive beliefs and anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. METHODS Systematic searches were conducted to identify studies that investigated: (1) group differences in metacognitive beliefs in clinical compared to non-clinical samples or (2) correlations between metacognitive beliefs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. RESULTS Forty papers were identified comprising a total sample of 9,887 participants aged 7-18 years. Meta-analyses revealed that clinical samples endorsed significantly elevated metacognitive beliefs on four out of the five domains measured (i.e., negative beliefs about worry, cognitive confidence, need for control, and cognitive self-consciousness, with the only exception being positive beliefs about worry) compared to non-clinical samples with a small to large effect (Hedges' gs = 0.45-1.22). Moreover, all five domains of metacognitive beliefs were significantly and positively correlated with symptoms of anxiety and depression of a small to large effect (rs = .24-.53). Negative beliefs about worry showed the strongest relationship with clinical status and the magnitude of symptoms. LIMITATIONS The number of studies did not allow for an evaluation of metacognitive beliefs at a disorder-specific level. CONCLUSIONS In line with the S-REF model, our findings provide evidence of robust cross-sectional relationships between metacognitions and both anxiety and depression in childhood and adolescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Thingbak
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - Lora Capobianco
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester & Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Wells
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester & Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mia Skytte O'Toole
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Temple J, Gemma Cherry M, Gray V, Jones A, Fisher P. Experience sampling methodology study of anxiety and depression in adolescents with epilepsy: The role of metacognitive beliefs and perseverative thinking. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 151:109599. [PMID: 38160577 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Emotional distress is common in young people with epilepsy (YPwE). According to the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model, maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and perseverative thinking are fundamental in the development and maintenance of emotional distress. As emotional distress and perseverative thinking can highly fluctuate over short intervals in YPwE, it is important to account for this variability when testing the utility of psychological models. Experience sampling methodology (ESM) was therefore used to explore the momentary relationship between metacognitive beliefs, perseverative thinking, and emotional distress in YPwE. Eighteen participants diagnosed with epilepsy (aged 12-17 years) completed the 10-day ESM period. Participants were prompted to complete the ESM assessment five times daily. The ESM assessment assessed participant's momentary levels of metacognitive beliefs, perseverative thinking (i.e., worry and rumination), and emotional distress (i.e., anxiety and depression). A series of multilevel regression analyses indicated that metacognitive beliefs were significantly positively associated with worry, rumination, anxiety and depression. After controlling for worry and rumination, respectively, metacognitive beliefs did not account for additional variance in anxiety or depression. Findings provide preliminary support for the utility of the S-REF model for emotional distress in YPwE. Metacognitive therapy, which is underpinned by the S-REF model, may be an appropriate intervention for emotional distress in YPwE. Future studies should assess the mediational relationship between metacognitive beliefs, perseverative thinking, and emotional distress using time-lagged models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Temple
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mary Gemma Cherry
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Clinical Health Psychology Service, Liverpool University NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Victoria Gray
- Psychological Services (Paediatrics), Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew Jones
- Department of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Peter Fisher
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Clinical Health Psychology Service, Liverpool University NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schultz K, Kannis-Dymand L, Jamieson D, McLoughlin LT, Loughnan S, Allen A, Hermens DF. Examining the Longitudinal Relationship Between Metacognitive Beliefs and Psychological Distress in an Adolescent Population: A Preliminary Analysis. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023:10.1007/s10578-023-01611-z. [PMID: 37831288 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01611-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a period marked by significant vulnerability to the onset of mental health concerns. Within adults, the metacognitive model of psychological disorders advocates for the involvement of metacognitive beliefs in the onset, and maintenance, of psychopathology. The current study aimed to assess the applicability of the metacognitive model in adolescence by exploring the relationship, as well as the trajectory, between metacognitive beliefs and psychological distress. The longitudinal prospective cohort study investigated data from a community-based sample of participants aged 12 to 13. Self-report assessment measures of metacognitive beliefs, psychological distress, and somatic distress are reported across four time-points. Baseline assessments are reported for 70 participants, which reduced to 53 participants at time-point four. Correlational analyses demonstrated a significant relationship between overall metacognition, as well as negative metacognitive beliefs, and psychological distress at each of the four time-points. Generalised Estimating Equations found a significant association between metacognitive predictors and psychological distress over the four time-points. These results indicate that negative metacognitive beliefs, positive metacognitive beliefs, metacognitive beliefs related to superstition, punishment, and responsibility, low perceived levels of cognitive confidence and cognitive self-consciousness predict psychological distress over 12 months in adolescents aged 12 to 13. The strongest longitudinal correlational structure was found for the model of negative metacognitive beliefs and psychological distress. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the positive linear relationship between metacognitive beliefs and psychological distress in adolescence. The study provides an important contribution to understanding the role of metacognitive beliefs in the aetiology and perpetuation of psychological distress in adolescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katie Schultz
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, Australia
| | - Lee Kannis-Dymand
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, Australia
| | - Daniel Jamieson
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | - Larisa T McLoughlin
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | - Siobhan Loughnan
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
- Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence, Mater Research Institute, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew Allen
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, Australia.
| | - Daniel F Hermens
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Moller CI, Badcock PB, Hetrick SE, Rice S, Berk M, Witt K, Chanen AM, Dean OM, Gao C, Cotton SM, Davey CG. Predictors of suicidal ideation severity among treatment-seeking young people with major depressive disorder: The role of state and trait anxiety. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2023; 57:1150-1162. [PMID: 36629043 DOI: 10.1177/00048674221144262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Depression and suicidal ideation are closely intertwined. Yet, among young people with depression, the specific factors that contribute to changes in suicidal ideation over time are uncertain. Factors other than depressive symptom severity, such as comorbid psychopathology and personality traits, might be important contributors. Our aim was to identify contributors to fluctuations in suicidal ideation severity over a 12-week period in young people with major depressive disorder receiving cognitive behavioural therapy. METHODS Data were drawn from two 12-week randomised, placebo-controlled treatment trials. Participants (N = 283) were 15-25 years old, with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. The primary outcome measure was the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire, administered at baseline and weeks 4, 8 and 12. A series of linear mixed models was conducted to examine the relationship between Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire score and demographic characteristics, comorbid psychopathology, personality traits and alcohol use. RESULTS Depression and anxiety symptom severity, and trait anxiety, independently predicted higher suicidal ideation, after adjusting for the effects of time, demographics, affective instability, non-suicidal self-injury and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS Both state and trait anxiety are important longitudinal correlates of suicidal ideation in depressed young people receiving cognitive behavioural therapy, independent of depression severity. Reducing acute psychological distress, through reducing depression and anxiety symptom severity, is important, but interventions aimed at treating trait anxiety could also potentially be an effective intervention approach for suicidal ideation in young people with depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl I Moller
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul B Badcock
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah E Hetrick
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon Rice
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University and Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Katrina Witt
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew M Chanen
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Olivia M Dean
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University and Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Caroline Gao
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sue M Cotton
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher G Davey
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Do Metacognitions of Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders Change after Intensified Exposure Therapy? CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9020168. [PMID: 35204889 PMCID: PMC8869889 DOI: 10.3390/children9020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Metacognitive beliefs have repeatedly proven to play a role in anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, but few studies have investigated whether they change after cognitive behavioral therapy. This longitudinal intervention study explores whether positive and negative metacognitive beliefs in particular change after exposure-focused treatment, and if metacognitive changes predict reductions in anxiety symptoms. A sample of 27 children between 8 and 16 years of age with a primary diagnosis of specific phobia, separation-anxiety disorder or social phobia completed assessments of anxiety symptoms, metacognitive beliefs, worry and repetitive negative thoughts before and after 11 sessions of intensified exposure treatment. Metacognitive beliefs did not change significantly after intensified exposure, but post-hoc power analysis revealed a lack of power here. Change in negative metacognitive beliefs correlated with a change in anxiety symptoms, but did not independently contribute as a predictor variable. Differences between subsamples showed that patients with separation-anxiety disorder scored higher on negative metacognitive beliefs than those with specific or social phobia. Consideration of metacognition, and negative metacognitive beliefs in particular could help us further improve the understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents and should therefore receive more attention in psychotherapy research.
Collapse
|
6
|
Köcher LM, Schneider K, Christiansen H. Thinking about worry: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the assessment of metacognitions in children and adolescents. World J Psychiatry 2021; 11:635-658. [PMID: 34631466 PMCID: PMC8474992 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i9.635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The metacognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder identifies three forms of metacognition: Positive metacognitive beliefs about worry (POS), negative metacognitive beliefs about worry (NEG), and meta-worry. Though this model was originally developed relying on adult samples, it has since been applied to children and youth in different studies, and results mostly support its validity for this group. As the roles of POS, meta-worry, and age-effects do not appear to be fully clarified for children and adolescents yet, an integration of studies on children and adolescents and the metacognitive model is both timely and worthwhile.
AIM To summarize the current research on relationships, age-effects, and measurements for POS, NEG, and meta-worry in childhood and youth.
METHODS We carried out a literature search in the electronic databases PsycINFO, PubMed, PSYNDEX, and ERIC in 2017 and updated in 2020. Empirical research in German or English language on metacognition was included with child and adolescent samples diagnosed with anxiety disorders or healthy controls if POS, NEG, or meta-worry were measured. Studies were included for meta-analysis if they reported correlations between these metacognitions and anxiety or worry. Consensus rating for eligibility was done for 20.89% of full-texts with 90.32% agreement. Risk of bias was assessed with the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies and consensus rating of appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies for 20.83% of included studies attaining agreement of intraclass correlation = 0.898. Overall, correlations between metacognitions, anxiety and worry were calculated with RevMan 5.4.1, assuming random-effects models. Meta-regressions with mean age as the covariate were performed via the online tool MetaMar 2.7.0. PROSPERO-ID: CRD42018078852.
RESULTS Overall, k = 763 records and k = 78 additional records were identified. Of those, k = 48 studies with 12839 participants were included and of those, k = 24 studies were included for meta-analysis. Most studies showed consistent NEG correlations with worry and anxiety, as well as higher values for clinical than for non-clinical samples. POS findings were less consistent. Meta-analysis revealed large effects for NEG correlating with worry and anxiety, small to medium effects for POS correlating with worry and anxiety, as well as small to medium effects for POS correlating with NEG. Meta-regressions did not reveal mean age as a significant covariate. Meta-worry was assessed in only one study. We identified eight questionnaires and one interview-format that assess metacognition about worry in children and adolescents.
CONCLUSION POS and NEG are measurable from the age of seven upwards and correlate with anxiety and worry without influences by age. Meta-worry requires further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Köcher
- Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Kai Schneider
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, University of Landau, Landau 76829, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yi F, Li X, Song X, Zhu L. The Underlying Mechanisms of Psychological Resilience on Emotional Experience: Attention-Bias or Emotion Disengagement. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1993. [PMID: 33041879 PMCID: PMC7527537 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychological resilience is consisted of social resources and protective factors for individuals against negative effects, and can influence the process of meta-cognition of individuals in response to emotion feelings. However, individuals with high or low resilience may produce various emotional experiences when facing the same events. According to an emotional input-output model, the different impacts of resilience on emotional experience may be caused during the process of receiving or disengaging stages. In order to address this problem, three experiments were conducted in the present study. The Experiment 1 was designed to explore whether the positive and negative emotions were associated with higher or lower levels of resilience. The aims of Experiments 2 and 3 were to test at which stages the different emotional experiences were caused by high or low resilience of individuals. The results showed that individuals with low resilience were more likely to feel more negative and less positive emotions, and resilience was significantly negatively associated with anxiety or depression. However, there was no difference in the stage of receiving emotional information between high and low resilient individuals, but differ on their ability of disengagement from emotional information, the individuals with high resilience disengaged from both positive and negative emotional information much faster. These findings were discussed in the context of different theories about the relationship between resilience and emotional experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yi
- School of Psychology, Key Laboratory for Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- People’s Government of Anhua Town, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolei Song
- School of Psychology, Key Laboratory for Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- School of Psychology, Key Laboratory for Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Metakognitive und mentalisierungsbasierte Konzepte und Behandlungsmodelle: Implikationen für die Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie. Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr 2020; 69:252-271. [DOI: 10.13109/prkk.2020.69.3.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
9
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes (a) key features of the metacognitive model as they relate to anxiety and related disorders, (b) central components of metacognitive therapy (MCT), (c) the current empirical status of MCT, (d) recent developments, (e) controversies and (f) future research directions. RECENT FINDINGS Evidence is accumulating that MCT is effective for anxiety and related disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that MCT may be effective with children and adolescents and compares well to other evidence-supported treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. Evidence for distinct mechanisms across therapies is mixed. While MCT appears to be effective for anxiety and related disorders, more research is required to evaluate (a) efficacy and unique (vs. common) mechanisms of change compared to other therapies, (b) effectiveness for children and adolescents, (c) alternative delivery methods (e.g., via internet, group vs. individual), (d) transdiagnostic impacts and (e) applications to a broader array of disorders.
Collapse
|