The association of impulsivity and metacognitive beliefs in adjustment disorder: A cross-sectional study

Objective: Adjustment Disorder (AD) is a stress-related condition characterized by emotional and behavioral symptoms triggered by various identifiable stressors.Impulsivity, marked by difficulties in decision-making and control, and deficits in metacognition, which regulate cognitive awareness, are common in AD.This study explores potential associations between dimensions of impulsive behavior, as defined by the UPPS (Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking) model, and metacognitive beliefs in individuals with AD. Method:This cross-sectional study included 75 male individuals diagnosed with AD and 60 healthy male controls.Participants were recruited from a clinical setting and completed self-report measures, including the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) and the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale, to assess metacognitive beliefs and impulsivity.Results: Individuals with AD had significantly higher scores on the MCQ-30 (F=50.559,p<0.001), particularly on the subscales of negative beliefs about worry (F=28.341,p<0.001), and need to control thoughts (F=57.427,p<0.001), as well as on total metacognitive beliefs (F=20.143,p<0.001).Regarding impulsivity, as measured by the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale, the AD group showed significantly elevated scores on lack of premeditation (F=15.952,p<0.001) and lack of perseverance (F=22.411,p<0.001), with no significant group differences in urgency or sensation seeking (p>0.05).Correlation analyses revealed that MCQ-30 negative beliefs about worry were positively associated with UPPS lack of premeditation (r=0.338,p<0.01) and lack of perseverance (r=0.234,p<0.01).The strongest correlations were found between the MCQ-30 need to control thoughts and impulsivity, particularly lack of perseverance (r=0.385,p<0.01) and total impulsivity (r=0.375,p<0.01), suggesting a strong link between dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and impulsivity in individuals with AD. Conclusion:These findings may inform future clinical approaches targeting impulsivity and metacognitive beliefs in individuals with AD.Future research should investigate these factors longitudinally, evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions, and explore sociodemographic influences on clinical outcomes.