The Need for Controllability and Predictability questionnaire: Psychometric properties and first findings in a clinical sample

Abstract

Objective: To validate the ‘Need for Controllability and Predictability questionnaire’ (NCP-q), a 15-item self-report measure assessing a person's need for control and predictability, building upon the clinical need for high quality assessment of these constructs. Methods: In study 1, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed in a student convenience sample (n = 768). In study 2, NCP-q data of various patient groups experiencing stress-related (overstrain, n = 33; burnout, n = 40; panic disorder, n = 34) and/or persistent somatic symptoms in daily life (fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome, n = 34) were compared with healthy controls (n = 30). The associations between the NCP-q and other questionnaires were tested. Results: In study 1, results suggest that the NCP-q should be used as a one-dimensional instrument. The NCP-q has good to excellent internal consistency and a good four-week test-retest reliability. Convergent validity was demonstrated by finding moderate to high correlations between the NCP-q and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), Penn-State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait (STAI-T), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Study 2 revealed significantly higher NCP-q scores for all patient groups compared with healthy controls, but no differences between patient groups. Discussion: The NCP-q can be used as a reliable, compact, and clinically relevant research tool and adds to identifying transdiagnostically relevant underlying mechanisms of stress-related and/or persistent somatic symptoms in daily life.