Fusion and defusion. Adaptation and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (I-CFQ)
Annalisa Oppo, Anna Bianca Prevedini, Francesco Dell’Orco, Paola Dordoni, Giovambattista Presti, David Gillanders, Paolo Moderato
Cognitive fusion refers to the process of considering one’s own thoughts as literally and objectively
true, and it is one of the six processes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In a context of fusion,
thoughts have a preponderant role in behavioural regulation instead of other sources of regulation
(i.e. direct consequences of behaviour). The aim of this study is the validation of the Cognitive Fusion
Questionnaire (CFQ) in the Italian context. The CFQ is a 7 item self-report questionnaire measuring
the above-mentioned processes. Three hundred and seventy-seven participants completed the CFQ and
other self-report measures that assess psychological flexibility (AAQ-II), mindfulness skills (MAAS),
and symptoms related to mental distress (SCL-90; DASS-21). The CFQ shows a monofactorial structure,
assessed both with Exploratory Factor Analysis and with Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The psychometric
properties of the CFQ indicate excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alfa = 0.82), and excellent
convergent validity with psychological flexibility (AAQ-II). Furthermore, the CFQ discriminates about
85% of the participants as having a probable discomfort (GSI > 1), showing excellent levels of
sensitivity and specificity. Considering its features and psychometric properties, I-CFQ can be easily
used both in research and in clinical practice, in the context of behavioural sciences.
Keywords
Cognitive Fusion, Defusion, Assessment, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire
(I-CFQ), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
