Abstract

This study aims to validate the Korean version of the Metacognitions about Smoking Questionnaire (K-MSQ), which mea- sures positive and negative metacognitions about smoking. The factor structure, reliability, and validity of the K-MSQ were investigated among 397 adult smokers. Data were randomly divided into two subsamples:an exploratory factor analysis (n =199), which supported a four-factor model; and a confirmatory factor analysis (n =198), which yielded an acceptable model fit after modification and supported the original structure. Additionally, the K-MSQ exhibited convergent validity with nicotine dependence, daily cigarette use, depression and anxiety scales, and discriminant validity with the smoking outcome expectancy scale. Furthermore, the K-MSQ had more power than the effects of depression, anxiety, and smoking outcome expectancy on nicotine dependence and daily cigarette use, confirming incremental validity. The K-MSQ displayed strong internal consistency, and test-retest reliability was satisfactory when retested after an eight-week interval. Therefore, these re- sults suggest that the K-MSQ is a valid scale for measuring positive and negative metacognitions about smoking.