Thinking about worry:A systematic review and meta-analysis on the assessment of metacognitions in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND The metacognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder identifies three forms of metacognition:Positive metacognitive beliefs about worry(POS),negative metacognitive beliefs about worry(NEG),and meta-worry.Though this model was originally developed relying on adult samples,it has since been applied to children and youth in different studies,and results mostly support its validity for this group.As the roles of POS,meta-worry,and age-effects do not appear to be fully clarified for children and adolescents yet,an integration of studies on children and adolescents and the metacognitive model is both timely and worthwhile.AIM To summarize the current research on relationships,age-effects,and measurements for POS,NEG,and meta-worry in childhood and youth.METHODS We carried out a literature search in the electronic databases PsycINFO,PubMed,PSYNDEX,and ERIC in 2017 and updated in 2020.Empirical research in German or English language on metacognition was included with child and adolescent samples diagnosed with anxiety disorders or healthy controls if POS,NEG,or meta-worry were measured.Studies were included for meta-analysis if they reported correlations between these metacognitions and anxiety or worry.Consensus rating for eligibility was done for 20.89% of full-texts with 90.32% agreement.Risk of bias was assessed with the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies and consensus rating of appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies for 20.83% of included studies attaining agreement of intraclass correlation=0.898.Overall,correlations between metacognitions,anxiety and worry were calculated with RevMan 5.4.1,assuming random-effects models.Meta-regressions with mean age as the covariate were performed via the online tool MetaMar 2.7.0.PROSPERO-ID:CRD42018078852.RESULTS Overall,k=763 records and k=78 additional records were identified.Of those,k=48 studies with 12839 participants were included and of those,k=24 studies were included for meta-analysis.Most studies showed consistent NEG correlations with worry and anxiety,as well as higher values for clinical than for nonclinical samples.POS findings were less consistent.Meta-analysis revealed large effects for NEG correlating with worry and anxiety,small to medium effects for POS correlating with worry and anxiety,as well as small to medium effects for POS correlating with NEG.Meta-regressions did not reveal mean age as a significant covariate.Meta-worry was assessed in only one study.We identified eight questionnaires and one interview-format that assess metacognition about worry in children and adolescents.CONCLUSION POS and NEG are measurable from the age of seven upwards and correlate with anxiety and worry without influences by age.Meta-worry requires further investigation.

Role of rumination in the relationship between metacognition and shyness

AIM To explore the association between metacognitive beliefs, rumination and shyness in a non-clinical sample of adults. METHODS One hundred and three healthy subjects from the general population were enrolled in the study. Shyness was evaluated using the Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale, rumination was assessed using the Ruminative Response Scale, metacognition was evaluated using the MetaCognitions Questionnaire 30, and anxiety levels were measured using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y. Correlation analyses, mediation models and 95% bias-corrected and accelerated(BCaCI) bootstrapped analyses were performed. Mediation analyses were adjusted for sex and anxiety. RESULTS Shyness, rumination and metacognition were significantly correlated(P < 0.05). The relationship between metacognition and shyness was fully mediated by rumination(Indirect effect: 0.20; 95% BCaCI: 0.08-0.33).CONCLUSION These findings suggest an association between metacognition and shyness. Rumination mediated the relationship between metacognition and shyness, suggesting that rumination could be a cognitive strategy for shy people. Future research should explore the relationship between these constructs in more depth.

Training Low-Achiever EFL Learners with Metacognitive Strategy Training for Effective Vocabulary Retention

There is ample research on the vocabulary learning strategies used by EFL and ESL learners.Moreover,many researchers have attempted to discern the effectiveness of teaching vocabulary learning strategies instruction.However,the impact of using metacognitive strategies along with vocabulary learning strategies on weak language learners has not been researched.The aim of this paper is to report on the effects of training low-achiever English as a foreign language learners with vocabulary learning strategies along with metacognitive strategies on vocabulary acquisition.Two B1 level groups of students were assigned as treatment and control groups at a university in Istanbul,Turkey.A Vocabulary Strategy Use Survey was given to identify the vocabulary strategy use of the subjects at the outset of the study.The treatment group was trained on vocabulary learning strategies combined with metacognitive strategy training.The control group studied the same words without any training.A vocabulary test was administered to both groups as a post-test and the results were compared.The findings of the Post-Test demonstrated that training weak language learners with vocabulary learning strategies along with metacognitive strategies has a positive impact on helping these learners increase their lexical knowledge,as the experimental group scored higher on the post-test compared to the control group.

Role of Metacognition in Mathematical Problem Solving Process of Permutations and Combinations--Basic Study for CAI Software Development

When solving a mathematical problem, we sometimes encounter a situation where we can not reach a correct answer in spite of acquiring knowledge and formula necessary for the solution. The reason can be attributed to the lack in metacognitive abilities. Metacognitive abilities consist of comparing the difficulty of problem with own ability, proper plan of solution process, and conscious monitoring and control of solution process. The role and importance of metacognitive ability in mathematical problem solving of permutations and combinations was explored. Participants were required to solve five practical problems related to permutations and combinations. For each problem, the solution process was divided into： （1） understanding （recognition） of mathematical problem; （2） plan of solution; （3） execution of solution. Participants were also required to rate the anticipation whether they could solve it or not, and to rate the confidence of their own answer. According to the total score of five problems, the participants were categorized into the group of the high test score and the group of the low test score. As a result, at the plan and the execution processes, statistically significant differences were detected between the high and the low score groups. As for the rating on the anticipation of result and the confidence of own answer, no significant differences were found between both groups. Moreover, the relationship between the score of plan process and the score of execution process was statistically correlated. In other words, the more proper the plan process was conducted, the more proper solution the participants reached. In such a way, the importance of metacognitive ability in the solving process, especially the plan ability, was suggested.

Promoting recovery from severe mental illness: Implications from research on metacognition and metacognitive reflection and insight therapy

Research indicates that individuals with schizophrenia recover. Recovery, however means different things to different individuals and regardless of what kind of experiences define recovery, the individual diagnosed with the serious mental illness must feel ownership of their recovery. This raises the issue of how mental health services should systematically promote recovery. This paper explores the practical implications for research on metacognition in schizophrenia for this issue. First, we present the integrated model of metacognition, which defines metacognition as the spectrum of activities which allow individual to have available to themselves an integrated sense of self and others as they appraise and respond to the unique challenges they face. Second, we present research suggesting that many with schizophrenia experience deficits in metacognition and that those deficits compromise individuals' abilities to manage their lives and mental health challenges. Third, we discuss a form of psychotherapy inspired by this research, Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy which assists individuals to recapture the ability to form integrated ideas about themselves and others and so direct their own recovery. The need for recovery oriented interventions to focus on process and on patient's purposes, assess metacognition and consider the intersubjective contexts in which this occurres is discussed.

Saving Resources for Future Demands-The Role of Instruction,Cognitive Load and Metacognition

Two studies test the hypothesis of conserving resources while performing depleting physical tasks and the modifying role of metacognitive self(MCS).A total of 216 undergraduate students performed two types of physical tasks(a body support on forearms―the first experiment;and a cold water test―the second experiment)in anticipation vs.no anticipation of the future task conditions.Among individuals with high-MCS much weaker persistence could be observed than among those with low-MCS.These results support theories of adaptive goal disengagement suggesting that how individuals apply their resources may stem from other reasons than ego depletion.

A Survey on the Use of Metacognition in L2 Learning and Teaching

The author tries to verify that there are differences between the usages of the metacongintive strategies through a survey. He also discusses the role of the language teacher, since more and more people believe that teachers are not only language instructors but also learner trainers. So if they are interested in improving learners 'use of strategies for learning and using the language, their roles may be changing.

Meta-SEE:Intelligent and Interactive Learning Framework for Software Engineering Education Based on Metaverse and Metacognition

With the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing complexity of software systems,there is a growing demand for effective educational approaches that empower learners to acquire and apply software engineering skills in practical contexts.This paper presents an intelligent and interactive learning(Meta-SEE)framework for software engineering education that combines the immersive capabilities of the metaverse with the cognitive processes of metacognition,to create an interactive and engaging learning environment.In the Meta-SEE framework,learners are immersed in a virtual world where they can collaboratively engage with concepts and practices of software engineering.Through the integration of metacognitive strategies,learners are empowered to monitor,regulate,and adapt their learning processes.By incorporating metacognition within the metaverse,learners gain a deeper understanding of their own thinking processes and become self-directed learners.In addition,MetaSEE has the potential to revolutionize software engineering education by offering a dynamic,immersive,and personalized learning experience.It allows learners to engage in realistic software development scenarios,explore complex systems,and collaborate with peers and instructors in virtual spaces.

Metacognition in Solving Process of Basic Electric Circuit ProblemmComparison of Metacognitive Characteristics between Non-major and Major Students in Electric Engineering

There are learners who cannot solve practical problems in spite of mastering basic scientific knowledge and formula necessary for the solution. One of the reasons might be attributed to the lack in metacognitive abilities. The aim of this study was to compare the metacognitive characteristics between non-major and major students in electric engineering and clarify the difference of metacognitive process between these two groups when solving basic problems of electronic circuit. In the experiment, the solving process was compared between non-major and major students in electric engineering using five basic problems. We found that the scores on prediction of result and confidence of own answer differed significantly between non-major and major students, and inferred that the difference of performance was due to the lack in metacognitive ability, especially the plan and the execution abilities. Both prediction of results and confidence of own answer were also found to play a significant role in effective problem solving as important components （subsystems） of metacognition.

An Empirical Study of Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge and Vocabulary Learning Metacognitive Strategies of Non-English Majors

This paper concentrates on the depth of vocabulary knowledge and vocabulary learning metacognitive strategies used by Chinese non-English majors in an independent college.Results show the depth of vocabulary knowledge of the subjects only reaches the passing level.And metacognitive strategies are correlated significantly with the depth of vocabulary knowledge.

The Application of Metacognitive Strategies in PE & Art Majors'College English Reading Practice

During the active process of reading, strategies involved will affect the process of reading comprehension, and the reader should intentionally regulate and control the reading process and adopt appropriate strategies to solve the problems during it. The purpose of this paper is to determine the use of metacognitive strategies in reading by the PE & Art majors through questionnaire. According to the result of the questionnaire, the PE & Art majors do use some metacognitive strategies in their reading, while nearly half of them do not often use metacognitive strategies in their reading. For this phenomenon, the author gives some constructive suggestions for the English majors about how to apply the metacognitive strategies in their reading: 1) preparing and planning in pre-reading; 2) monitoring and self-questioning in while-reading; 3) evaluating and adjusting in post-reading.

Research into college students＇ English autonomous learning capability and the necessity of cultivating metacognitive strategies

Through the research into college students＇ English autonomous learning ability of the non-English major students. That the cause why university students＇ English autonomous learning ability is weak is proved to be that they do not value the use of learning strategies. The use of learning strategies can promote the formation and enhancement of autonomous learning ability of the learners. Metacognitive strategy is a high-level management skill which can enable the learners to plan, regulate, monitor and evaluate actively their own learning process. Massive researches have proved whether metacognitive strategy is used successfully or not can directly affect the student learning result. So, it is necessary for teachers to cultivate and train the students to use metacogitive strategy in the university English teaching.

Literature Review on Metacognitive Strategies

This thesis firstly deals with the definition of metacognition, metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive strategies.Then, it presents the relationship between metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive strategies. Following that, it provides the previous related studies of them.

A Study on Metacognitive Strategies Used in Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension of College English

This paper is a study of influence of metacognitive strategies on reading and listening through 196 non-English majors' metacognitive strategies used in CET-4. The major findings are that metacognitive strategies have a great infulence on English reading and listening achievement and the effects of metacognitive strategies on English achievement are greater. In addition, each individual metacognitive strategy plays different roles in the process of reading and listening.

The Effect of Metacognitive Strategies Instruction on Chinese Non-Major Undergraduates' Self-efficacy and Writing Performance

Metacognition has drawn wider research attention in the past decades in the field of teaching English as a foreign language. In this study, questionnaires surveying English learners' use of metacognitive writing strategies and their writing efficacy were respectively administered. Metacognitive writing strategy intervention was conducted The findings are further discussed with regard to the participants' specific learning context, and pedagogical implications derived from the research highlight the importance of integrating metacognitive writing strategy instruction into regular classroom teaching.

Differences in the Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies among Advanced,High-Intermediate and Intermediate EFL Learners

In order to fulfill the task of comprehending the text successfully,the reader must utilize metacognitive knowledge and must invoke conscious and deliberate strategies(R.Sheorey, K.Mokhtari 2001).In this study,we examine differences in the reported use of reading strategies of advanced,high-intermediate and intermediate EFL speakers when reading materials.The findings are worth of note.

Metacognitive Strategy Use in English Reading Comprehension

Metacogonitive strategies are in connection with the reading process. It is essential for language learners to master a series of metacogonitive strategies. Teachers should conduct metacognitive training among students. Thus, students are sure to improve their reading proficiency with some metacognitive knowledge during the reading process.

Cognitive attentional syndrome and metacognitive beliefs as potential treatment targets for metacognitive therapy in bipolar disorder

Most treatment guidelines emphasize the use of psychotropic drugs for both the acute and maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder(BD).However,relying only on psychotropics without adjunctive psychosocial interventions may be insufficient in treating patients with BD.Given its unique view in the explanation of psychopathological states,metacognitive therapy(MCT)might be helpful for BD.Metacognitive theory posits that psychopathology is a result of the cognitive attentional syndrome(CAS)and that it is influenced and maintained by dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs,perseverative thinking,attentional biases,and dysfunctional coping strategies.In this review,literature data regarding these areas in BD are examined.Studies suggest that perseverative thinking might be among the emotion regulation strategies endorsed in individuals with BD.Regarding attentional biases,literature data show that state-dependent,moodchanging attentional biases and a ruminative self-focused attention are present.Studies also suggest that cognitive self-consciousness is higher in BD compared to controls.It is seen that maladaptive coping strategies are frequently reported in BD,and that these strategies are associated with depression severity,negative affect and relapse risk.Studies focusing on dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs in BD reported that individuals with BD had higher scores for negative metacognitive beliefs,self-consciousness,need to control thoughts,and a lack of cognitive confidence.Also,dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs were associated with depressive symptomatology.These findings suggest that the components of CAS and dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs are evident in BD.For a subgroup of patients with BD who fail to respond to evidence-based psychopharmacological and adjunctive psychotherapeutic interventions,MCT might be an alternative way to consider as a treatment option.In conclusion,taken the available data together,we propose a sequential treatment protocol for BD,mainly based on the MCT treatment plan of depressive disorders.