Further development in the assessment of psychological flexibility: A shortened Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ‐8). (2nd September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCracken, L.M.; Chilcot, J.; Norton, S.
• Is Part Of: European journal of pain. Volume 19:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 677
• Page End: 685
• Publication Date: 2014-09-02
• Subjects: Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Pain -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; 616.0472
• DOI: 10.1002/ejp.589
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-3801

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ejp589-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Committed action is a relatively understudied facet of the psychological flexibility model but a potentially important process of overt behaviour in relation to chronic pain. In this study, we take a previously developed measure of committed action, the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ), and validate a shorter version.</p> </sec> <sec id="ejp589-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A total of 664 adults seeking treatment for chronic pain participated in this study. They provided responses to the CAQ and also completed measures of acceptance and health‐related daily functioning. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses as well as Mokken scaling analysis were used to explore the structure of the CAQ and produce an 8‐item version (CAQ‐8).</p> </sec> <sec id="ejp589-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A two‐factor scale emerged from the analyses that both meets criteria for reliability and validity and performs comparably to the longer original version. In validity correlation analyses, committed action as measured by the CAQ‐8 was significantly associated with pain‐related and general acceptance and with depression, physical and social functioning, mental health, vitality and general health.</p> </sec> <sec id="ejp589-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The CAQ‐8 appears equally adequate as the CAQ as a measure of committed action. Its development ought to facilitate further study of this process of engagement in activity and of the wider psychological flexibility model in relation to chronic pain.</p> </sec> </abstract>