The Expanded Version of the Inferential Confusion Questionnaire: Further Development and Validation in Clinical and Non-Clinical Samples

• Published in: Journal of psychopathology and behavioral assessment Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 448 - 462
• Main Authors: Aardema, Frederick, Wu, Kevin D., Careau, Yves, O’Connor, Kieron, Julien, Dominic, Dennie, Susan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-09-2010; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Clinical outcomes; Clinical Psychology; Cognition & reasoning; Confusion; Neuroses; Obsession; Obsessive-Compulsive neuroses; Personality and Social Psychology; Psychological tests; Psychology; Psychopathology; Quantitative psychology; Symptoms; Validation; Treatment outcome; Inferential confusion; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Cognition; Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0882-2689; 1573-3505
• DOI: 10.1007/s10862-009-9157-x

The current study represents the further development and validation of an expanded version of the Inferential Confusion Questionnaire (ICQ-EV) in non-clinical and clinical samples. Inferential confusion seems to be particularly relevant to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and is defined as a failure to recognize the unrealistic nature of obsessions due to a subjective form of reasoning. Factor analysis of the item-set of the ICQ-EV indicated a one-dimensional solution in non-clinical and clinical samples. It was hypothesized that inferential confusion as measured by the ICQ-EV would be particularly relevant to participants with OCD. Results confirmed convergent validity with strong relationships between the ICQ-EV and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in all samples independent of other cognitive domains and general distress. In addition, those with OCD scored higher on the ICQ-EV than non-clinical controls and a mixed anxiety disorder group so confirming group-criterion validity. Finally, the ICQ-EV also showed clinical validity with change in ICQ-EV scores during treatment significantly related to successful treatment outcome.