Kodai MATSUNO

Metacognitive therapy (MCT), which is a form of psychotherapy for depression or anxiety, has been attracting attention in recent times. Intervention involving MCT deals with metacognitive beliefs (MCBs), which maintain repetitive negative thoughts such as rumination and worry. The metacognitive model of depression indicates the effect of rumination and positive/negative MCBs about the rumination on depression; however, it does not indicate the influence of worry and other forms of MCBs on depression. Therefore, the present study aimed at examining a metacognitive model of depression considering the influence of worry on depression. Participants were 219 university students. A covariance structure analysis was performed and the results showed a good fit of the model. Based on the model in this study, rumination, worry, and negative beliefs about worry showed significant positive influence on depression. On the other hand, negative /positive beliefs about rumination, cognitive confidence, and cognitive self− consciousness showed significant positive effects on depression through rumination and/or worry. The influence of various variables on depression was indicated by the present study. Therefore, this study suggested the importance of theoretical validity while dealing with various variables during metacognitive therapy for depression.