The Thought Control Questionnaire in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting: Psychometric Properties and Predictive Capacity

Abstract

The current article describes the psychometric properties of the Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ; Wells & Davies, 1994) in 176 psychiatric inpatients at admission and discharge (352 completed TCQs). Factor analysis revealed four factors; Reappraisal/Distraction, Social Control, Punishment, and Worry. Scale descriptive statistics, reliabilities and correlations with psychiatric symptoms, self esteem, and quality of life supported the use of the TCQ in this setting. TCQ factors were then used as predictors of improvement from admission to discharge. The strategy of Punishment appeared to be unhelpful, with smaller reductions in the use of this strategy from admission to discharge predicting less improvement. Worry appeared to be an unhelpful strategy although the results were less consistent. The strategy of Reappraisal/Distraction appeared to be helpful, and greater increases in the use of this strategy from admission to discharge predicted greater improvement. Social Control also tended to be a helpful strategy although the results were less consistent. Overall, the results support the psychometric properties of the TCQ and are consistent with the notion that the use of certain thought control strategies may contribute to the maintenance of psychopathology while the use of others may contribute positively to treatment outcome.