Development and Validation of an Abbreviated Form of the Cognitive Style Questionnaire

• DOI: 10.1007/s10608-025-10587-0
• Publication Date: 2025-03-03T21:36:21Z
• Authors: Ivan Vargas; Olivia Wier; Abigail H. Vance; Gerald J Haeffel
• Keywords: Validation test; Cognitive style

Abstract

Background According to the Hopelessness Theory of Depression, a negative cognitive style increases an individual’s vulnerability to depression during stressful life events. The Cognitive Style Questionnaire (CSQ) is a widely used self-report measure to assess negative cognitive style or cognitive vulnerability. A limitation of the CSQ is its length, limiting its use in larger-scale research and applied settings. This research aims to validate a brief version of the CSQ.

Method We conducted two studies to develop and validate the CSQ—brief form (CSQ-BF) by (1) empirically determining which scenarios from the CSQ should be included and (2) validating the CSQ-BF. In study one, 207 university students completed the full-scale CSQ, and the six best-fitting items were selected for the CSQ-BF. In study two, 321 university students completed several self-report measures of depressive symptoms, stressor exposure, affect, and the CSQ-BF.

Results A factor analysis supported that the full-scale CSQ is comprised of a single factor structure. Six items were selected for the CSQ-BF based on factor loadings and item categories (to maximize content validity). Results from study two confirmed that the CSQ-BF had strong psychometric properties and could be completed in less time.

Conclusion The CSQ-BF offers a more convenient tool for measuring cognitive vulnerability to depression.