The development and psychometric properties of a self-report Catastrophizing Questionnaire

Catastrophizing is a cognitive process that can be defined as predicting the worst possible outcome. It has been shown to related psychiatric diagnoses such depression and anxiety, yet there are no self-report questionnaires specifically measuring it outside context of pain research. Here, we therefore develop novel, comprehensive measure general catastrophizing. We performed five online studies (total n = 734), in which created refined Questionnaire, used factor analytic approach understand its underlying structure. also assessed convergent discriminant validity, analysed test–retest reliability. Furthermore, tested ability Questionnaire scores predict relevant clinical variables over above other questionnaires. Finally, developed four-item short version this questionnaire. found our questionnaire best fit by single factor, shows validity. Exploratory analyses indicated catastrophizing independent from constructs, including anxiety worry. Moreover, demonstrate incremental validity for diagnostic medication status. good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.77, p < 0.001). Critically, now, first time, obtain detailed data on