Work

Development and validation of the religious schema questionnaire for culturally distorted beliefs (ReSQue-CD)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Maladaptive religious schemata are stable, negatively biased cognitive–emotional knowledge structures concerning God, the self, and religious practice that may contribute to psychological distress. To address the absence of measures assessing these schemata in Muslim populations, this study developed and validated the Religious Schema Questionnaire for Culturally Distorted Beliefs (ReSQue-CD). Childhood and adulthood versions of an 18-item measure were developed across three phases. Phase 1 involved qualitative item generation with 16 Muslim participants from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) backgrounds. Phase 2 used exploratory factor analysis with 174 young Muslim adults, yielding a six-factor solution explaining 74.5–75.0% of the variance. Phase 3 used confirmatory factor analysis with 250 young Muslim adults, supporting the six-factor structure with good model fit. Both versions demonstrated good internal consistency (α = .85–.86) and evidence of convergent and divergent validity. The ReSQue-CD provides a culturally sensitive, psychometrically sound measure for assessing maladaptive religious schemata in conservative Muslim populations.

Source: Mental Health Religion & Culture

DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2026.2712537

Authors: Taregh Shaban, Ian Grey, Craig Steel, Jo Bower, Brettjet Cody

Institutions: University of Birmingham, United Arab Emirates University, University of Oxford, University of East Anglia

Language: English

Topic: Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W7202039353

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