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Validity and Reliability of the Core Beliefs Questionnaire in a Sample of Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Non-Clinical Samples

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Core beliefs are cognitive structures that shape one's fundamental assumptions about the self, the external environment, and the future. They play a pivotal role in the development of numerous mental pathologies. The Core Beliefs Questionnaire (CBQ) is one of the inventories developed to evaluate core beliefs. It is comprised of 3 versions: "Trait (CBQT)," "Contingent (CBQC)," and "Others (CBQO)." This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of the CBQ in a Turkish sample. Methods: The study included 2 groups: a group of individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (n = 150) and a group of healthy individuals (n = 150). A "Socio-demographic Data Form," the "CBQ," the "Social Comparison Scale (SCS)," the "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)," the "Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)," and the "Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)" were administered to the participants. Results: analyses showed that all three versions were highly reliable (GAD group: CBQTα = 0.93, CBQCα = 0.96, and CBQOα = 0.96, control group: CBQTα = 0.95, CBQCα = 0.98, and CBQOα = 0.94). The GAD group had significantly higher negative core beliefs compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion Our research findings indicate that the CBQ is a valid and reliable measure for assessing core beliefs in: clinical and non-clinical samples. While the majority of research on GAD has concentrated on particular cognitive processes, such as worry and uncertainty, this study demonstrated that individuals with GAD may have a multitude of negative core beliefs.

Source: Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology

DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2025.24971

Authors: Private Practice in Psychiatry, Ankara, Türkiye, Erkan Kuru, İlker Özdemir, Bengü Yücens, Türkan Doğan, M. Hakan Türkçapar

Institutions: Bursa City Hospital, Pamukkale University, Eskişehir City Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $590