The Relationship Between Metacognitive Beliefs, Emotion Recognition, Interpersonal Emotion Regulation, and Attachment Styles in Patients with Anxiety Disorders
Selma Erturk Devamli, Ozge Saracli, Vildan Cakir Kardes, N Atasoy, L Atik
article (Uluslararası, Hakemli) | Yazar(lar): Selma Erturk Devamli, Ozge Saracli, Vildan Cakir Kardes, N Atasoy, L Atik | Yıl: 2026 | Dergi/Kurum: JOURNAL OF RATIONAL-EMOTIVE AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY | İndeks: WOS.SSCI | DOI: 10.1007/s10942-026-00680-y | Anahtar Kelimeler: GAD, Metacognitive therapy, Pathological
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is maintained by dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs, but the relative contributions of metacognition, attachment styles, interpersonal emotion regulation, and emotion recognition to worry remain unclear. This study examined the predictors of worry severity and GAD group membership, focusing on the unique contribution of metacognitive beliefs beyond attachment insecurity. Sixty GAD patients (diagnosed via SCID-5) and 50 healthy controls completed the MCQ-30, ECR-II, IERQ, RMET, BDI, and PSWQ. Hierarchical multiple regression examined predictors of worry, and binary logistic regression examined predictors of GAD group membership. After controlling for group membership and depression, metacognitive beliefs (Uncontrollability and Danger, Need to Control Thoughts) explained an additional 13.2% of worry variance (Delta R-2 = 0.132, p < .001). Attachment dimensions did not contribute additional variance (Delta R-2 = 0.004, p = .664). In logistic regression, IERQ Perspective Taking (OR = 1.28, p = .006) and BDI (OR = 1.07, p = .043) significantly predicted GAD membership. No group differences were found in emotion recognition. Metacognitive beliefs were independently associated with worry beyond attachment insecurity, suggesting that the attachment-worry relationship may be largely accounted for by metacognitive processes. Interpersonal emotion regulation strategies distinctly differentiate GAD from controls. These findings support integrating metacognitive and interpersonal interventions in GAD treatment.