Exploring the Metacognitive Model: A Comparative Study of Anxiety, Cannabis Use, and Comorbid Conditions

Abstract

The metacognitive model of emotional disorders is a transdiagnostic theory that suggests that psychopathology (e.g., anxiety- and fear-related disorders) occurs as a result of metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about one’s own thinking) and the subsequent activation of the Cognitive Attentional Syndrome (CAS; i.e., set of maladaptive self-regulation strategies; Wells & Matthews, 1996). A recent adaption of the metacognitive model (i.e., the metacognitive formulation of substance use) proposes that specific metacognitive beliefs about substance use lead to the development and maintenance of problematic substance use. Despite the abundance of literature that has examined the metacognitive model, no known study has compared the components of the metacognitive model across individuals with anxiety- and fear-related pathology and cannabis users. Further, no study to date has examined the metacognitive formulation of substance use (i.e., negative and positive metacognitive beliefs) in cannabis users. In an effort to fill these gaps in the literature, the present study sought to compare components of the metacognitive model (i.e., metacognitive beliefs and CAS activation) across participants with anxiety- and fear-related pathology, regular and frequent cannabis users, and healthy controls. Further, the present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of an adapted measure of metacognitive beliefs about cannabis use. Adult participants (N = 46) completed a clinical interview to determine eligibility for one of three diagnostic groups and completed a subsequent battery of self-report measures. Results revealed that individuals with anxiety- and fear-related psychopathology and regular, frequent cannabis users may experience greater levels of metacognitive model components compared to healthy controls. However, this effect may be driven by anxiety- and fear-related pathology. Moreover, the present study evidenced positive associations between negative metacognitions about cannabis use and cannabis use frequency and problems. Present findings point to the potential benefits of treatment options that target generic metacognitive beliefs, CAS activation, and negative metacognitions about cannabis use. Given notable study limitations, future work is needed to confirm and expand upon present findings.