Validation of a Self-Report Measure of Mentalizing: The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire
International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences,
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025),
20 September 2025
,
Page 20-27
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v12i3.48635
Abstract
Background and Aim: Reflective functioning is an important psychological construct, but its measurement tools lack validation in Persian-speaking populations. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Reflective Functioning Scale in Persian, as validating this tool is crucial for enabling rigorous research and clinical assessment of mentalizing in Persian-speaking populations.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design. Out of 70 initial participants, 60 met the criteria. After excluding 9 participants for various reasons, the final sample consisted of 51 participants. In this study, three instruments were used for assessments: the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), the Reflective Function Questionnaire for Adults (RFQA), and the Eye Test - Revised Version. All testing procedures were conducted daily at a hospital in Shiraz.
Results: Reliability analyses showed good internal consistency (α = 0.78), split-half reliability (0.77, adjusted to 0.79), and test-retest stability over three weeks (r = 0.80), while content validity was confirmed by expert review with a high content validity index (CVI = 0.81). Reflective functioning showed strong positive correlation with secure attachment (r = 0.60) and social cognition (r = 0.65), moderate negative correlation with avoidant attachment (r = -0.45), and weak to moderate negative correlation with ambivalent attachment (r = -0.35), supporting the RF tool’s good convergent validity across attachment styles and social cognitive abilities.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the Reflective Functioning Scale has acceptable reliability and validity, making it a suitable tool for assessing mentalizing ability in Persian-speaking populations.
- Mentalization, Reflective Function, Reliability, Validity
How to Cite
References
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