Psychometric Properties of the Catastrophic Cognitions Questionnaire‐Modified (CCQ‐Modified) Among Community Samples in Malaysia

The Catastrophic Cognitions Questionnaire‐Modified (CCQ‐M) is a common instrument for measuring catastrophic thoughts. In some countries, however, CCQ‐M still poses concerns following the lack of appropriate validation among their populations. The current study aimed to examine the factor structure of the CCQ‐M, the reliability, and the validity in community samples in Malaysia. The Malay version of CCQ‐M and additional measures assessing the symptoms and cognitions relevant to anxiety disorders were completed by 682 university students and general community. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two‐factor structure accounting for 62.2% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two‐factor model by deleting four items. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the total and the two subscales were .94, .90, and .92, respectively. Test–retest reliability analysis was conducted on 82 university students in the interval period of 14 days, and the result was r = .58. Evidence supported the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity. In conclusion, the 17‐item CCQ‐M‐Malaysia is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing catastrophic cognitions among Malaysian populations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.