Development and Initial Evaluation of the Craving Metacognition Scale

Abstract

Objective

Recent craving research has focused on individuals' beliefs about cravings. Yet, measures about craving beliefs have rarely been compared with other craving belief measures or measures of craving itself. We aimed to develop a craving metacognition measure with a simple factor structure that could be used by people with a range of alcohol use patterns. This article introduces the Craving Metacognition Scale, a measure of individuals' craving metacognitions.

Method

Items were generated based on specific beliefs and attitudes related to craving and drinking, sourced from existing questionnaires and edited to emphasise metacognitive appraisal. Two samples tested the scale: one of individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use issues (n = 115) and the other of undergraduate students who drank regularly (n = 92). The items were refined based on contribution to the total score and divergence from existing measures.

Results

The final 13‐item scale showed strong internal consistency (α = .93) and good convergence with existing measures, such as the Jellinek Alcohol Craving Questionnaire‐now (Pearson's r = .698) and the Metacognition Questionnaire for Alcohol Abusers subscales (between r = .602 and r = .811).

Conclusions

The Craving Metacognition Scale shows preliminary evidence of psychometric validity. It has a simple factor structure that measures craving metacognitions reported by individuals with a range of drinking habits.

Key words:

• alcohol
• craving
• drinking
• measurement
• metacognition

At the time of submission, K.T. is employed by The University of Queensland, and A.J.B. is employed by The University of Sydney.

Funding information National Health and Medical Research Council, Grant/Award Number: 488508

At the time of submission, K.T. is employed by The University of Queensland, and A.J.B. is employed by The University of Sydney.

Funding information National Health and Medical Research Council, Grant/Award Number: 488508

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors acknowledge and appreciate the assistance of Northern Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Local Health District staff and patients, and the students of Macquarie University who generously participated in this research. The first author was supported by a Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship, funded by National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant #488508.

Notes

At the time of submission, K.T. is employed by The University of Queensland, and A.J.B. is employed by The University of Sydney.

Funding information National Health and Medical Research Council, Grant/Award Number: 488508