KLINIK PSIKIYATRI DERGISI-TURKISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY, cilt.21, sa.2, ss.168-176, 2018 (ESCI)
Objective: Recent studies highlighted the importance of future prospections in cognitive-behavioural therapy for the promotion of healthy coping strategies and thinking patterns. This means a concomitant line of research on developing appropriate psychometric measures for the assessment of future prospections assumes significant importance. Literature review of published research in Turkish revealed a lack of empirically grounded scales on future prospections based on cognitive-behavioural theories. Therefore, this study aimed at translating the Subjective Probability Task into Turkish and identifying its relevant psychometric properties. Method: Study sample consisted of 198 voluntary university students studying in Ankara University, Turkey. In addition to the Subjective Probability Task, we also used Beck Depression Inventory, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, and Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale-Short Form. Confirmatory factor analysis was done with a separate sample of university students. Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis conducted revealed a two-factor model: positive prospections (alfa=.86) and negative prospections (alfa=.90). This model was supported by a confirmatory factor analysis conducted, and other statistical tests that followed gave further insights on the validity of the scale in Turkish. Discussion: Subjective Probability Task was found to be a valid and a reliable test for use in the study of depression symptom structures and severity. The test is seen as a valuable instrument for theoretical conceptualizations as well as preventative measures, and can be used in studies focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of the debilitating disease.