The Relationship of metcognitive beliefs and thought control strategies with trait anxiety

The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between metcognitive belief and thought control strategies with trait anxiety. A sample of 226 students (105 males, 121 females) from Tarbiat Moallem University completed Metcognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), The Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The results showed that metcognitive beliefs and thought control strategies were positively correlated with trait anxiety. Among the subscales of metcognitive beliefs, negative beliefs about uncontrollability and danger, cognitive confidence and need to control of thoughts were significantly correlated with trait anxiety. There was a positive relationship between thought control strategies of distraction, punishment, reappraisal, and worry and trait anxiety. In regression analyses negative beliefs about uncontrollability and danger, cognitive confidence, distraction and reappraisal emerged as the strongest predictors of trait anxiety and explained 51 percent of variance of it. Results of this study support the metcognitive model of anxiety. metcognitive variables of uncontrollability and danger and cognitive confidence and thought control through distraction and reappraisal are positively associated with trait anxiety. Therefore modification of negative metcognitive beliefs and maladaptive strategies to control of unwanted thoughts and emotions can be useful in treatment of anxiety.