Expanding Research on Decentering as Measured by the Portuguese Version of the Experiences Questionnaire
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For long decentering has been regarded as a crucial process for well-being and health. Thus, reliable measures are needed to assess decentering. This study aimed at examining the psychometric characteristics of the Portuguese version of the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ), and to contribute to gather new evidence on the role of this particular measure of decentering on the well-known relationship between rumination and depressive symptoms. The EQ factorial structure was assessed through a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) conducted in 709 participants (66% women; 34% men). CFA’ results supported a 10-item solution (χ 2/df = 2.62; CFI = .96; TLI = .95; RMSEA = .05, CI = .04 to .06) with high internal consistency (α = .81), test-retest reliability (r = .86; p < .010) and construct validity. Two path analyses were further conducted in a subsample exploring the indirect effect of rumination on depression through the mechanism of decentering as assessed by the specific measure of EQ, and by the non-specific measure of decentering TMS. Decentering, only when measured by EQ, significantly emerged as a mechanism through which the relationship between rumination and depressive symptoms also operates (R2 = .22). Findings highlight the importance of using EQ as a specific measure of this transdiagnostic process in research and clinical settings.
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The Portuguese version of the EQ confirmed the one-factor structure after removing one item, found good internal consistency, temporal stability over 1 month, and convergent validity with mindfulness, cognitive fusion, psychological inflexibility, depressive rumination, and emotion regulation.
“This version confirmed the one-factor structure after removing one item (“I notice that I don’t take difficulties so personally”), found good internal consistency, temporal stability over 1 month (in a subsample of 31 participants), and convergent validity with mindfulness, cognitive fusion, psychological inflexibility, depressive rumination, and emotion regulation (Gregório et al., 2015).”
From Measuring Decentering – Development and Validation of the French Version of the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ-F) (2024) · cites this paper as Gregório et al., 2015
A further study confirmed good construct validity, as well as high reliability (α = 0.81) of the EQ-D.
“A further study confirmed good construct validity, as well as high reliability (α = 0.81) of the scale (Gregório et al., 2015).”
From A randomised trial of Mindfulness-based Social Work and Self-Care with social workers (2023) · cites this paper as Gregório et al., 2015
EQ scores are positively associated with other decentering-related constructs such as experiential avoidance and cognitive reappraisal.
“Scores on the EQ are positively associated with other decentering-related constructs like experiential avoidance (a tendency to attempt to evade difficult thoughts and feelings)30–34 and cognitive reappraisal (an ability to reconceptualise situations to modify emotional impact).27 35”
EQ scores are moderately strongly associated with the Drexel Defusion Scale (DDS), Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ).
“EQ scores are moderately strongly associated with the Drexel Defusion Scale (DDS) (r = 0.39–0.52), Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) (r = −0.40 to −0.61) and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ) (r = −0.67) (19.10–39.57 years)21,23–27.”
From Decentering as a core component in the psychological treatment and prevention of youth anxiety and depression: a narrative review and insight report (2021) · cites this paper as [23]
During adulthood, lower self-rated decentering is associated with increased anxiety and depression.
“This negative association is also reported during adulthood using the EQ (r anxiety = −0.33 to −0.39; r depression = −0.39 to −0.4)23,26 and CFQ (r anxiety = 0.53–0.64) (r depression = −0.45 to −0.61)25,36,51 (higher CFQ = poorer decentering).”
From Decentering as a core component in the psychological treatment and prevention of youth anxiety and depression: a narrative review and insight report (2021) · cites this paper as [23]
Cross-sectional studies indicate that the positive association between psychological stressors and distress is lessened as decentering-related abilities increase.
“Second, cross-sectional studies indicate that the positive association between psychological stressors and distress is lessened as decentering-related abilities increase.”
From Decentering as a core component in the psychological treatment and prevention of youth anxiety and depression: a narrative review and insight report (2021) · cites this paper as [23]
All instruments have been translated to Portuguese with reliable psychometric properties.
“All instruments have been translated to Portuguese with reliable psychometric properties [54–64].”
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“A further study confirmed good construct validity, as well as high reliability (α = 0.81) of the scale (Gregório et al., 2015).”
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- Authors
- Gregório, S., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Duarte, C., & Simões, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Coimbra (PT)
- Corresponding author
- Gregório, Sónia
- Venue
- The Spanish Journal of Psychology
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2015
- Volume
- 18
- Pages
- E23-E23
- ISSN
- 1138-7416 (ISSN-L)
- 1988-2904
- OpenAlex
- W1976756184
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 2.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- Locations
- The Spanish Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion)
- Research at York St John (York St John University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/40290/2007, SFRH/BD/76858/2011)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- decentering, rumination, depressive symptoms, depression, psychometric validation, Portuguese version, transdiagnostic mechanisms, mediation, well-being
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Depression, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Portugal, Psychological Tests, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Thinking, Reproducibility of Results, Young Adult
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