Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the flow metacognitions questionnaire: Evidence from classical and network psychometric analyses

Abstract The present study aimed to adapt the Flow Metacognitions Questionnaire (FMQ) into Turkish and evaluate its psychometric properties using both classical and network-based approaches. A sample of 209 teachers who had experienced flow within the past year participated. Following standard translation procedures, linguistic equivalence was confirmed through paired-sample t-tests and Pearson correlations between the original and Turkish versions. Construct validity was examined via exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and parallel analysis, all of which supported a two-factor structure reflecting “Confidence in Ability to Self-Regulate Flow” and “Beliefs that Flow Fosters Achievement”. Additionally, Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) revealed a three-community structure, suggesting a more nuanced dimensionality possibly reflecting a third dimension related to perceived control over flow. Criterion validity was supported by moderate positive correlations between FMQ subscales and external measures, including flow frequency and intensity, adaptive metacognitions, and psychological resilience. Regression analyses further confirmed that FMQ subdimensions are significantly related with flow-related outcomes. Reliability analyses demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.89, ω = 0.91) for the total scale and its subdimensions. Analyses were conducted in R using several packages such as lavaan, psych, and EGAnet. Overall, findings suggest that the Turkish version of the FMQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing flow-related metacognitions across general and occupational contexts. The network-based insights underscore the value of EGA in revealing latent structures potentially overlooked by conventional factor analysis by extracting a third dimension of the FMQ.