Maladaptive Metacognitive Beliefs Research Articles

Trends in the dose-response relationship between adverse childhood experiences and maladaptive metacognitive beliefs: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundSince the publication of the major research on adverse childhood experiences (ACE) at the turn of the millennium, our knowledge about the prevalence and physical and mental consequences of childhood adversities has increased substantially. In parallel, research on metacognition, which plays an important role in understanding our mental functioning, has also been on the rise. Although the adverse effects of ACEs on mental processes and the role of metacognitive deficits in the development of mental disorders are widely known, hardly any research into the interaction between these two areas has been conducted; this is what triggered our investigation. MethodsOur research was carried out as a cross-sectional study on a sample of 304 members of the general population. We measured ACEs with the 10-item Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire and maladaptive metacognitions—positive and negative metacognitive beliefs, cognitive confidence, cognitive self-consciousness, and need to control thoughts— using the Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire.The closeness of the relationship between the ACE score and metacognitions was measured using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient, while the association of ACE accumulation with metacognitive beliefs was assessed using generalized linear models. ResultsThe most common ACE in our sample turned out to be emotional neglect (44.74%). All the examined maladaptive metacognitive beliefs correlate mildly to moderately with the number of suffered ACEs (r = 0.13–0.34), with an increase in the ACE score leading to a rise in the salience of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs. Moreover, a dose-response relationship was seen between increases in ACE scores and the overall values of metacognition, negative metacognitive beliefs, and the maladaptive metacognitive belief of the need to control thoughts. ConclusionsOur results suggest that the more ACEs were experienced in childhood, the more pronounced the dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs are. Therefore, our findings emphasize the importance of further research into the topic.

Effect of Adolescents’ Perceived Parental Blame on Learned Helplessness: The Sequential Mediating Effects of Maladaptive Metacognitive Beliefs and Rumination

This study aimed to examine the effect of adolescents’ perceived parental blame (criticism) on learned helplessness and to examine whether maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and rumination sequentially mediate the relationship between parental blame and learned helplessness. The participants were 316 adolescents (<i>Mean age</i> =16.7, <i>SD</i> =0.75; 137 male, 179 female) attending grades 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> in high school in South Korea. The participants were selected using a snowball sampling method, while the data was collected via an online selfreport questionnaire. This survey was completed by the participants and analyzed using SPSS 28.0, Amos 26.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY), and PROCESS macro version 4.2 (Model 6; Hayes, 2022). The main results are summarized as follows. Firstly, the adolescents’ perceived paternal and maternal blame indicated significant direct effects on learned helplessness. Secondly, rumination mediated the effect of paternal and maternal blame on learned helplessness. Lastly, paternal and maternal blame significantly affected learned helplessness through the sequential mediating effects of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and rumination. This study elucidates the causal structure among the various factors influencing learned helplessness in adolescents, focusing on parental blame, maladaptive metacognitive beliefs, and rumination. Furthermore, considering the verified sequential mediating effects of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and rumination in the relationship between adolescents’ perceived parental blame and learned helplessness, these findings suggest that modifying maladaptive metacognitive beliefs may help to reduce learned helplessness among adolescents who perceive high levels of parental blame.

Experience sampling methodology study of anxiety and depression in adolescents with epilepsy: The role of metacognitive beliefs and perseverative thinking

Emotional distress is common in young people with epilepsy (YPwE). According to the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model, maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and perseverative thinking are fundamental in the development and maintenance of emotional distress. As emotional distress and perseverative thinking can highly fluctuate over short intervals in YPwE, it is important to account for this variability when testing the utility of psychological models. Experience sampling methodology (ESM) was therefore used to explore the momentary relationship between metacognitive beliefs, perseverative thinking, and emotional distress in YPwE. Eighteen participants diagnosed with epilepsy (aged 12–17 years) completed the 10-day ESM period. Participants were prompted to complete the ESM assessment five times daily. The ESM assessment assessed participant’s momentary levels of metacognitive beliefs, perseverative thinking (i.e., worry and rumination), and emotional distress (i.e., anxiety and depression). A series of multilevel regression analyses indicated that metacognitive beliefs were significantly positively associated with worry, rumination, anxiety and depression. After controlling for worry and rumination, respectively, metacognitive beliefs did not account for additional variance in anxiety or depression. Findings provide preliminary support for the utility of the S-REF model for emotional distress in YPwE. Metacognitive therapy, which is underpinned by the S-REF model, may be an appropriate intervention for emotional distress in YPwE. Future studies should assess the mediational relationship between metacognitive beliefs, perseverative thinking, and emotional distress using time-lagged models.

Metacognitive beliefs and anxiety symptoms could serve as mediators between fear of missing out and gaming disorder in adolescents

Given the vulnerability to and prevalence of emotional problems and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in adolescents, this study aimed to test the effects of fear of missing out (FoMO) on IGD and the mediating roles of metacognitive beliefs and anxiety symptoms based on the self-regulatory executive function (S-REF) model. At a Chinese high school, 283 participants (Mage = 16.89 years old; girls = 42.0%) with past-year gaming experience voluntarily completed an anonymous paper-and-pencil questionnaire. FoMO showed significant, positive associations with IGD, anxiety symptoms, and metacognitive beliefs. Results of path analysis showed a significant direct effect of FoMO on IGD, whereas anxiety symptoms mediated the relationship between FoMO and IGD. The indirect effects of FoMO on IGD via serial mediations of three negative metacognitive beliefs (i.e., negative beliefs about worry, low cognitive confidence, and beliefs regarding need for control) and anxiety symptoms were also statistically significant. These findings demonstrated that maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and anxiety are risk-enhancing mediators in the relationship between FoMO and IGD. Therefore, metacognitive therapy, particularly for regulating those three specific significant metacognitive beliefs, is recommended for treating IGD and anxiety, especially for those with higher levels of FoMO.

Relation Between Maladaptive Metacognitive Beliefs and Burden in Caregivers of Psychiatric Patients: Role of Resilience as a Moderator and Rumination as a Mediator

Relation Between Maladaptive Metacognitive Beliefs and Burden in Caregivers of Psychiatric Patients: Role of Resilience as a Moderator and Rumination as a Mediator

Group Metacognitive Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a Routine Clinical Setting: An Open Trial

AbstractObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often a chronic disorder characterised by uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions), and/or behaviours (compulsions). Accumulating evidence suggests that metacognitive beliefs may underlie many of the processes implicated in the formation and perpetuation of OCD. Metacognitive therapy (MCT) for OCD aims to modify these maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and processes to treat this debilitating disorder. The current study examines the outcome of a pilot trial of MCT for OCD in 26 (17 females; 9 males) adults (18–64 years) referred to a specialist outpatient service. Results were promising, with significant decreases in OCD and depression symptoms, which were maintained at the 3-month follow-up. The improvement in Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale scores between pre-treatment and follow-up in the completer sample (n=22) was large (d=1.29), and comparable to outcomes of well-established treatments. These encouraging results add to early empirical support for the effectiveness of group MCT as an OCD treatment alternative, as well as reinforcing the role of metacognitions contributing to this disorder.

Brain structural correlates of cognitive-attentional syndrome - a Voxel-Based Morphometry Study.

Cognitive-attentional syndrome (CAS) is in the self-regulatory executive function model a set of cognitive and behavioural strategies aimed at regulating cognition and emotion originating from maladaptive metacognitive beliefs. Investigating the brain structure of people with high levels of CAS enables a better understanding of the syndrome and bridging between the metacognitive model of psychopathology and previous results on structural abnormalities in various psychological disorders. Participants with high (n=40) and low levels of CAS (n=44) underwent structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging session. Voxel-Based Morphometry analytical approach was used to compute grey matter volume (GMV) differences between the groups. The group with a high level of CAS had lower GMV in the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex. Our results are in line with the self-regulatory executive function model of psychopathology, showing a link between CAS and lowered GMV in the brain region associated with the regulation of cognition and emotion. They are also in agreement with meta-analytical results on structural correlates of various psychological disorders.

The psychological correlates of fatigue in Parkinson's disease: Contribution of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs

IntroductionPsychological factors can underlie fatigue in neurological disorders, but its relationship to fatigue in Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been explored. We assessed the association between maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and presence of fatigue in PD. MethodsNinety-eight consecutive outpatients with PD (61% male; median age: 66.50 years) were assessed in terms of demographic, clinical, medication treatment, cognitive, or behavioural characteristics including metacognitive beliefs (Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 or MCQ). Fatigue was ascertained by PD-related diagnostic criteria. Univariate statistical approach (Mann-Whitney and Pearson chi-square tests) was used to compare PD patients with (f-PD) or without (nf-PD) fatigue in terms of demographic, clinical, medication treatment, cognitive, behavioural, and metacognitive measures. ResultsTwenty-one PD patients (21%) displayed fatigue. The f-PD group scored higher on the MCQ-total score, MCQ-Cognitive Confidence subscale, and all behavioral measures (ps < 0.01) relative to nf-PD. They also had a more advanced Hoehn and Yahr stage and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III score. ConclusionMaladaptive metacognitive beliefs such as the lack of cognitive confidence may play a key role to trigger and maintain fatigue in PD. Future studies, using a multivariate statistical approach, are needed to confirm these preliminary findings in a larger sample of patients with fatigue and to assess if modification of such metacognitive beliefs has the potential to ameliorate fatigue in PD.

The interactive effect of event centrality and maladaptive metacognitive beliefs on posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth.

Event centrality, the extent to which a traumatic event becomes a reference point for understanding the world and one's role in it, is related to both posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Given that higher event centrality is associated with both of these seemingly disparate postevent trajectories, research on potential moderators of these relationships is needed to better understand the conditions under which event centrality relates to one or both outcomes. Maladaptive metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about thinking, Wells & Matthews, 1994, 1996) might be one individual difference factor that influences the degree to which event centrality is related to PTS symptoms and PTG. In a laboratory session, undergraduate students (N = 149) completed self-report measures of event centrality, maladaptive metacognitive beliefs (negative and positive), PTS symptoms, and PTG. Analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling in order to account for shared variance between PTS symptoms and PTG. As predicted, the positive relationship between event centrality and PTS symptoms became increasingly stronger as maladaptive metacognitive beliefs increased (i.e., both positive and negative metacognitive beliefs). The positive relationship between event centrality and PTG was stronger as maldaptive negative, but not positive, metacognitive beliefs decreased. Study findings suggest that treatments designed to reduce maladaptive metacognitive beliefs could lead to reductions in PTS symptoms and increased opportunity for PTG among those with highly central traumatic events. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

A cross-lagged panel model for testing the bidirectional relationship between depression and smartphone addiction and the influences of maladaptive metacognition on them in Chinese adolescents

AimsDespite the high prevalence of both depression and smartphone addiction among Chinese adolescents, research examining their bidirectional relationship has been limited. Moreover, longitudinal research regarding the influence of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs on smartphone addiction is scarce. This 6-month longitudinal study aimed to address these research gaps by testing a cross-lagged panel model of maladaptive metacognition, depression, and smartphone addiction. MethodsFour hundred and fifty-nine Chinese high school students voluntarily completed an anonymous questionnaire at baseline, and 313 of them (36.1% male; age = 14 to 18; M = 16.88, SD = 0.62) completed the same questionnaire at follow-up. ResultsPositive correlations were shown among depression, smartphone addiction, and maladaptive metacognition at both waves (r = 0.16 to 0.57, p < .01). The results of the cross-lagged analysis demonstrated only the prospective effect of depression on smartphone addiction (β = 0.18, p < .001) but not vice versa. Moreover, maladaptive metacognition assessed at baseline significantly predicted subsequent depression (β = 0.14, p < .01) but not smartphone addiction (p>.05). Additional path analysis showed a significant indirect effect of baseline maladaptive metacognition (0.099 [95% CI = 0.042, 0.183]) on subsequent smartphone addiction, via depression. ConclusionsFindings of this study showed that the relationship between depression and smartphone addiction was unidirectional rather than bidirectional among Chinese adolescents. Specifically, depression predicted smartphone addiction, while maladaptive metacognition predicted depression. Depression also mediated the relationship between maladaptive metacognition and smartphone addiction. The findings suggest that incorporating metacognition and depression interventions into smartphone addiction prevention designs for adolescents may be beneficial.

Maladaptive metacognitive beliefs mediated the effect of intolerance of uncertainty on depression.

Both elevated intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and maladaptive metacognitive beliefs (MBs) were associated with depression. However, the relationship between MBs and IU in clinical depression is unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the putative impairment of MBs and IU in major depressive disorder (MDD) and explore the relationship between these two factors with depressive symptoms. Metacognition Questionnaire-30 Items (MCQ-30), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-Short Form (IUS-12) and clinical rating scales were administered to 53 patients with MDD and 56 healthy controls (HCs). Stepwise regressions were performed to explore independent contributions of MBs and IU on depression. Mediation analysis was used to examine associations among variables. Patients with MDD reported higher IUS-12 and MCQ-30 scores than HCs. Stepwise regressions revealed a unique contribution of negative MBs concerning the consequences of not controlling thoughts (MCQ-NC) on depression symptoms while controlling the effects of age, gender, anxiety symptoms and IU. MCQ-NC and negative MBs concerning the uncontrollability and danger of negative thinking (MCQ-NEG) completely mediated the effects of IU on depression and anxiety symptoms. Our results provided clear evidence that maladaptive negative MBs are directly associated with depression symptoms, and mediated the effect of IU on depression and anxiety symptoms, suggesting that IU and MBs influence clinical symptoms in a hierarchical manner.

The Association Between Maladaptive Metacognitive Beliefs and Emotional Distress in People Living With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

ObjectiveApproximately half of all people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience persistent or recurrent emotional distress, yet little is known about the psychological processes that maintain emotional distress in this population. The self-regulatory executive functioning (S-REF) model specifies that maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and processes are central to the development and maintenance of emotional distress. This study explored whether maladaptive metacognitive beliefs are associated with emotional distress after controlling for demographic factors, time since diagnosis, and current level of physical functioning.DesignIn a cross-sectional design, 75 adults with a diagnosis of ALS completed self-report questionnaires. Participants had a mean age of 60.40 years, mean duration of symptoms 63.92 months, and male:female gender ratio of 14:11.Main Outcome MeasuresQuestionnaires assessed emotional distress (HADS, adapted for ALS), physical functioning (ALSFRS-R), repetitive negative thinking (RTQ-10), metacognitive beliefs (MCQ-30), and demographic factors.ResultsMaladaptive metacognitive beliefs explained additional variance in emotional distress after controlling for age, gender, time since diagnosis, physical functioning, and repetitive negative thinking. Repetitive negative thinking partially mediated the relationships between positive and negative metacognitive beliefs and emotional distress.ConclusionsThese data support the utility of the metacognitive model in understanding emotional distress in people with ALS. Examination of the temporal relationship between maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and emotional distress in people living with ALS may help to guide the development of therapeutic approaches.

Residual Anxiety in Patients with Bipolar Disorder in Full or Partial Remission: Metacognitive Beliefs and Neurocognitive Function

Maladaptive metacognitive beliefs are frequent during depressive states of bipolar disorder (BD). Still, it is unclear whether they persist in remitted phases and play a role in patients’ residual anxiety. The study aimed to investigate whether remitted patients with BD display maladaptive metacognitive beliefs, and whether these beliefs are associated with more residual anxiety and lower attention control. Patients with BD in full remission (n = 28) and healthy control participants (HCs) (n = 31) were assessed with self-reported questionnaires measuring metacognitions, anxiety, attention, and a screening for cognitive impairment as well as two computerised attention tasks. Patients with BD exhibited higher levels of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs than HCs, also after adjustment for subsyndromal mood symptoms. Patients with BD also showed reduced attention control and cognitive impairments. Across the entire sample, more maladaptive metacognitive beliefs were associated with more anxiety symptoms, poorer cognition and lower attention control. Maladaptive metacognitive beliefs are associated with residual anxiety in remitted patients with BD. Treatments that specifically target maladaptive metacognitive beliefs may have potential to reduce anxiety in remitted phases of BD and enhance patients’ functional recovery and quality of life.

Assessing metacognitive beliefs in test anxiety: Psychometric properties of the metacognitions questionnaire, 30 (MCQ-30) among university students

The Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) measures maladaptive metacognitive beliefs considered central to the metacognitive model of psychopathology. However, the psychometric properties of the MCQ-30 in test anxiety (TA) among university students are unknown. This study examined the MCQ-30 factor structure and concurrent validity in both trait and state TA. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses support the previously established five-factor structure of the MCQ-30 in both state and trait TA, with factors having good internal consistency. Structural equation modeling of the relationships between MCQ-30 subscales and TA found ‘Negative beliefs about uncontrollability and danger of worry’ to have the strongest association. The MCQ-30 appears a robust measure of metacognitive beliefs in TA and provides a basis for further testing of the validity of the metacognitive model in TA. Extending the reach of metacognitive therapy, which is based upon the metacognitive model, to TA could help to improve both student wellbeing and academic performance.

Individual differences in anger and displaced aggression: The role of metacognitive beliefs and anger rumination

Metacognitive model is a theoretical approach aimed to explain emotion dysregulation and others emotion-related issues, such anger, and aggressive behavior. From this model, people having higher maladaptive metacognitive beliefs (e.g., "I can't control my thoughts") are more likely to activate and maintain anger rumination and, in turn, to experience higher levels of anger and to act aggressively. Preliminary evidence shows the role of metacognitive beliefs on anger rumination and anger levels, whereas no studies have examined its association with aggressive behavior. This study first examined the associations between metacognitive beliefs, anger rumination, anger levels, and the propensity to engage in displaced aggression, and second, the mediation role of anger rumination in the relations among metacognitive beliefs and anger and displaced aggression. Participants were 947 students and non-students from general population recruited in two different countries (Australia and Spain). Correlational analyses revealed a similar pattern of results in the Australian and Spanish sample, with participants having dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs also showing higher anger rumination, higher levels of anger and a higher tendency to act aggressively. Structural equation analyses revealed the associations of metacognitive beliefs with anger levels and displaced aggression was fully mediated by anger rumination in both samples. These results suggest that metacognitive beliefs should be considered in comprehensive models and in the therapy of anger problems and aggression.

Morningness-eveningness and tertiary academic achievement: an exploration of potential mediators, including sleep factors, mind wandering, and metacognitive beliefs

ABSTRACT Correlates of academic achievement can vary by subject and by assessment type, although consistent associations have been found with some variables, including morningness-eveningness. In the present study, 153 second-year undergraduate Business School students at an English-medium university in China completed questionnaire measures of morningness-eveningness, mind wandering, sleep quality, conscientiousness, affect and metacognitive beliefs. Positive correlates of grades in three English for Academic Purposes assessments (coursework, speaking, and exam) included English level, morningness and self-discipline. Negative correlates of achievement included mind wandering, negative affect, rise time and poor sleep quality, and also maladaptive metacognitive beliefs, which were most strongly associated with exam performance. Significant predictors of achievement included English level and aspects of sleep quality. Exploratory mediation analysis investigated potential mediators between morningness-eveningness and achievement. Morningness-eveningness was found to have indirect effects on achievement through sleep-related factors, mind wandering, conscientiousness, negative affect, and metacognitive beliefs. These results contribute to the understanding of academic achievement in different subjects and assessment types, and identify possible indirect effects in the association between morningness-eveningness and academic achievement.

Morningness–eveningness and affect: the mediating roles of sleep quality and metacognitive beliefs

Morningness (a preference for earlier rise and bed times) is associated with well-being, better sleep quality, and positive affect, while eveningness is associated with poor sleep quality, negative mood, maladaptive behaviours, and psychological disorder. The current study investigated: (1) whether eveningness is associated with more maladaptive metacognitive beliefs; (2) whether maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and sleep quality are related to associations between morningness–eveningness and affect. An online survey with questionnaire measures of morningness–eveningness, affect, sleep quality, and metacognitive beliefs was completed by 591 undergraduate students. More morningness correlated with more positive affect, while more eveningness correlated with more negative affect and poor sleep quality. Eveningness also showed small correlations with having less cognitive confidence and with metacognitive beliefs about uncontrollable thoughts. Mediation analysis showed that cognitive confidence and beliefs about uncontrollable thoughts, together with poor sleep quality (especially subjective sleep quality and daytime dysfunction), were mediators in the relationships between morningness–eveningness and both negative affect and positive affect. These findings suggest that metacognitive beliefs may be an important consideration in understanding the associations between morningness–eveningness and well-being.

Modeling the Relationships Between Metacognitive Beliefs, Attention Control and Symptoms in Children With and Without Anxiety Disorders: A Test of the S-REF Model.

In the metacognitive model, attentional control and metacognitive beliefs are key transdiagnostic mechanisms contributing to psychological disorder. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relative contribution of these mechanisms to symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with anxiety disorders and in non-clinical controls. In a cross-sectional design, 351 children (169 children diagnosed with a primary anxiety disorder and 182 community children) between 7 and 14 years of age completed self-report measures of symptoms, attention control and metacognitive beliefs. Clinically anxious children reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, lower levels of attention control and higher levels of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs than controls. Across groups, lower attention control and higher levels of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs were associated with stronger symptoms, and metacognitions were negatively associated with attention control. Domains of attention control and metacognitions explained unique variance in symptoms when these were entered in the same model within groups, and an interaction effect between metacognitions and attention control was found in the community group that explained additional variance in symptoms. In conclusion, the findings are consistent with predictions of the metacognitive model; metacognitive beliefs and individual differences in self-report attention control both contributed to psychological dysfunction in children and metacognitive beliefs appeared to be the strongest factor.

Metacognitive functioning in bipolar disorder versus controls and its correlations with neurocognitive functioning in a cross-sectional design

IntroductionMetacognition is an important factor in the development and persistence of bipolar disorder. One of the most striking examples of impairment in metacognitive functioning in bipolar disorder is the lack of insight these patients have in their disorder. Despite its importance, research regarding metacognition in bipolar disorder is scarce. Furthermore, the neurocognitive basis of metacognitive functioning is unknown. MethodsThe current study included 29 patients with bipolar disorder and 29 age, educational level and gender matched healthy controls. All the participants filled in a metacognition questionnaire that examined their metacognitive beliefs. In addition, it was tested how well they estimated their performance on a neurocognitive test-battery beforehand (metacognitive knowledge) and afterwards (metacognitive experience). ResultsBipolar disorder patients showed maladaptive metacognitive beliefs in comparison with the healthy controls. They also showed impaired metacognitive knowledge and experience. That is, they overestimated their own cognitive performance. However, the latter result was also true for the healthy controls. In addition, metacognition had neurocognitive correlates. However, for the bipolar patients, depressive symptomatology had an important effect on this relationship and on metacognition in general. ConclusionMaladaptive metacognitive skills are related to depression in bipolar disorder. A more healthy metacognitive thinking should be promoted. An effective training for this could be a therapy that includes various elements, from basic cognitive- to higher order metacognitive training.

Executive Control Deficits Potentiate the Effect of Maladaptive Metacognitive Beliefs on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms.

The metacognitive model and recent preliminary research suggests that metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about thinking) may be particularly important for understanding the pathogenesis of posttraumatic stress (PTS). The metacognitive model also suggests that deficits in executive control (i.e., metacognitive control) may increase the impact of metacognitive beliefs on PTS symptoms. Trauma-exposed adult participants (N = 469), recruited through an online crowdsourcing website, completed a battery of measures assessing the constructs of interest. As predicted, deficits in executive control strengthened the positive association between metacognitive beliefs and PTS symptoms. This effect was found in relation to positive (e.g., “Worrying will keep me safe”), but not negative (e.g., “My thoughts are uncontrollable”), metacognitive beliefs. Supplemental analyses, indicated that the interaction between positive metacognitive beliefs and executive control significantly predicted all PTS cluster scores (i.e., Intrusion, Cognition, Arousal, Avoidance). Taken together, results support the proposal that executive control deficits potentiate the effect of metacognitive beliefs on PTS symptoms. Intervention strategies designed to strengthen executive control (e.g., the attention training technique) may be useful in treating individuals with PTS.