Developing and validating the Japanese version of the Referential Thinking Scale: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Ideas of reference in paranoia (IoR-P) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (IoR-S) stem from different psychological constructs.
• The interaction between IoR-P and IoR-S, despite overlapping life periods, remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop and validate the Japanese version of the Referential Thinking Scale (J-REF) for assessing IoR-S.
• Investigate the predictors of both IoR-P and IoR-S in a Japanese population.

Main Methods:

• Validated the Japanese Referential Thinking Scale (J-REF) for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent/discriminant validity.
• Employed hierarchical regression analyses to identify predictors of IoR-P and IoR-S in Japanese adults in their 20s.

Main Results:

• The J-REF demonstrated strong psychometric properties.
• Public self-consciousness predicted IoR-P, while schizotypy dimensions predicted IoR-S.
• Social anxiety and negative moods were identified as common contributors to both IoR-P and IoR-S.

Conclusions:

• This study provides direct evidence for distinct predictors underlying IoR-P and IoR-S.
• The research validates the J-REF scale in an Asian context, suggesting cultural similarities in referential thinking.
• Identifies public self-consciousness, schizotypy, social anxiety, and negative moods as key factors influencing these phenomena.