Are you what you think? Validation of Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire in Mexican Population.

Abstract

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is characterized by emphasizing dispassionate detachment from one’s own thoughts. Cognitive Fusion is a state where people react to their thoughts literally, allowing them to take control and determine behavior. The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) in clinical and non-clinical Mexican populations.
Method: 525 subjects were registered in the non-clinical group and 570 in the clinical one; informed consent was obtained from each participant. Experiential avoidance (AAQ) and mindfulness (MAAS) were also evaluated. Results: All the items obtained an excellent discriminative power. The unifactorial model proposed in the original version was corroborated. Cronbach’s alphas considered excellent were obtained. It was not possible to establish test-retest temporal stability, and the difference in the scores of the non-clinical group was significant. Positive correlations were found between CFQ and AAQ scores, and negative correlations were found between CFQ and MAAS. The clinical group obtained higher scores on the CFQ.
Conclusions: The CFQ is a valid and reliable instrument to be used in the Mexican population of a clinical and non-clinical nature.