The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire–Revised– 7 (RFQ-R-7): A new measurement model assessing hypomentalization

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282000
• Publication Date: 2023-02-24T18:31:30Z
• Authors: Zsolt Horváth; Orsolya Demetrovics; Borbála Paksi; Zsolt Unoka; Zsolt Demetrovics
• Keywords: Worry; Sensation Seeking; Mentalization

Although it is a widely used questionnaire, limitations regarding the scoring procedure and structural validity of eight-item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) were raised. The present study aimed to examine further latent dimensionality RFQ-8 linear non-linear associations between mentalization difficulties maladaptive psychological characteristics. Data from two separate representative samples young adults ( N = 3890; females: 51.68%; mean age: 27.06 years [ SD 4.76]) 1385; 53.20%; 41.77 13.08]) used. In addition RFQ-8, standardized questionnaires measured levels impulsivity, sensation seeking, rumination, worry well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was test model fit competing measurement models. CFA revealed that revised, seven-item version RFQ (RFQ-R-7) with unidimensional structure showed most optimal in both samples. Impulsivity, rumination consistently presented significant, positive, general Significant quadratic also identified, but these relationships closely followed variables increased only marginally explained variance. supported characteristics indicated RFQ-R-7 captures dimension hypomentalization ranging low high uncertainty. Increasing can indicate risk for less adaptive functioning. Further revisions might be warranted future ensure adequate hypermentalization.