Abstract

Cognitive interviewing is an established applied qualitative method for examining and improving the face and content validity of psychological measures. Utilizing concurrent or retrospective interview techniques, the method examines how individuals interpret, understand and respond to psychometric items, to determine whether they target expected domains and processes. We aimed to examine respondents’ verbal responses to items within the CompACT and AAQ-II (given their use in clinical research and practice) in order to determine whether/how these responses correspond with ACT targets. Twenty-six ACT-naïve individuals completed both measures and cognitive interviews. Responses to 22 CompACT items corresponded with its putative three-factor conceptualization of psychological flexibility; mapping for one item was unclear. Responses to six AAQ-II items corresponded with concepts of experiential avoidance and committed action; mapping for one item was unclear. Low frequency problems (e.g., unclear wording) were found with items on both measures, and both appeared to target intended (but varied) ACT constructs. Findings seemingly support the CompACT as a conceptually broader measure of psychological flexibility, while the AAQ-II appears more targeted on experiential avoidance-related domains.