Preparing for problems: A measure of mental anticipatory processes

Abstract

The Measure of Mental Anticipatory Processes (MMAP) is a questionnaire measuring patterns of mental preparation that are productive (plan rehearsal and problem analysis) and unproductive (stagnant deliberation and outcome fantasy) in coping with future stressful events. In a series of psychometric studies, the four subscales demonstrated acceptable structural validity, internal consistency, temporal stability (Studies 1 and 2), and convergent and divergent validity with concurrent measures of recurrent thought processes, emotion regulation, problem-solving, and mental health (Study 3). In Study 4, three subscales predicted quality of repetitive thought and psychological adjustment in response to a naturalistic, personally relevant stressful life transition. Stagnant deliberation and outcome fantasy predicted change in depression symptoms in an at-risk population.