Development and Psychometric Properties of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire for Adolescents (CD-Quest-T)

CONTEXT The Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest) is an instrument that identifies logical errors or cognitive distortions, only available for adults, and used in trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT). PURPOSE To develop and validate a version of the CD-Quest for teens (CD-Quest-T) aged 11 to 17 years, and test its psychometric properties. METHOD A total of 299 students participated in the investigation. After having its content validity assessed, the language was adapted to the age group, and the instrument was reduced to 8 items (from the initial 15). Five cognitive therapists analyzed the content and structure of the items. Lastly, to investigate the construct validity of the CD-Quest-T, the instrument was divided into a full scale and two subscales, which measure the frequency of the distortions and the magnitude attributed to them. RESULTS The overall internal consistency of the scale was α = 0.77, whereas for the frequency scale, it was α = 0.75, and for the intensity scale, α = 0.73. Results from exploratory factor analysis and concurrent validity indicated that the CD-Quest-T items have good psychometric properties and generate scores reliably. CONCLUSION The psychometric properties of the CD-Quest-T demonstrate its adequacy to measure cognitive distortions in adolescents.