Measuring Decentering – Development and Validation of the French Version of the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ-F)

Abstract

This article presents the results of a psychometric evaluation and initial validation of the French version of the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ-F), a self-report measure of decentering. Decentering is the ability to maintain a detached stance toward one’s thoughts and emotions and is related to adaptive psychological functioning. Study 1 explored the EQ-F’s factor structure and construct validity in a nonclinical population. Study 2 evaluated the construct validity of the EQ-F in an intervention design. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a one-factor model of the original measure. The construct validity of the EQ-F was supported by positive correlations with mindfulness and adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and negative associations with cognitive fusion, experiential avoidance, stress, anxiety, depression symptoms, and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Furthermore, construct validity was demonstrated by pre–post changes in decentering in a mindfulness-based intervention. EQ-F can be used as a valid measure of decentering in French.