Objective: Disability extends beyond physical limitations, impacting
individuals’ mental health and psychosocial adjustment. This study
aimed to investigate the underlying cognitive and metacognitive
processes contributing to psychopathological symptoms in individuals
with physical disabilities.
Method: We included 164 individuals with physical disabilities and
149 healthy controls. Psychopathology was measured using the 21
item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS21). Cognitive and
metacognitive processes were assessed using the Negative Core Beliefs
Inventory (NCBI), Cognitive and Behavioural Processes Questionnaire
(CBP-Q), and Cognitive Attentional Syndrome 1 Scale (CAS-1).
Results: Comparative analyses showed no significant difference in
DASS21 total scores (p>0.05). The CAS-1 total score was significantly
lower in individuals with physical disabilities (p<0.05). Moderate,
positive, and significant correlations were found between DASS21 and
NCBI, CBP-Q, and CAS-1 (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis
revealed that NCBI and CAS-1 significantly influenced depression
levels (p<0.05), while CBP-Q had no effect (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Psychopathology in individuals with physical disabilities
is associated with cognitive and metacognitive processes. Our results
could inform the development of psychosocial interventions and
improve health policies for this population.
Keywords: Anxiety, cognition, depression, mental health,
metacognition, physical disability