Scale Analysis

The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) was developed by Fonagy in 2016 and is a brief self-report version of the RFQ-54. It was designed to capture individual differences in hypomentalizing and hypermentalizing.

Purpose of the Scale

The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire was created to assess an individual’s ability to adequately interpret mental states—both their own and those of others—i.e., their reflective or mentalizing capacity.

Scoring of the Items

Participants are asked to indicate the extent to which they agree with each statement related to thoughts or feelings. The questionnaire consists of 8 items, answered using a 7-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 7 (Strongly agree). The scale is divided into two subscales: Uncertainty (RFQ-U) and Certainty (RFQ-C).

Statistical Analysis

The scale yields a total score ranging from 8 to 56. Higher scores reflect a stance characterized by greater uncertainty and lack of awareness regarding mental states, considered indicative of hypomentalizing. Lower scores, consisting of more neutral responses, reflect an acknowledgment of the opacity of mental states and certainty, characteristic of hypermentalizing.

Validity and Reliability

All subscales used were tested for reliability and showed generally good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.7. In a follow-up test, internal consistency was excellent, with α = 0.84 for the RFQ-U subscale and α = 0.75 for the RFQ-C subscale. The questionnaire has been translated into Greek through a back-translation process and adapted to the Greek population by Pominis and Gournelis, showing good face reliability and validity.

Reference

Author: P. Fonagy (2016)