ISSN 0189-1774
 
2026, Vol: 23, Issue: 2
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Original Article
Online Published: 30 Jun 2026
 


Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations

Ismail Olaiitan Adesina, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Abisola Ayodele Lawal, Mashudat Abiola Bello-mojeed, Favour Ikeoluwa Oyewole, Odunayo Rukayat Adesina, Shalom Anu-oluwapo Adenusi, Onyema Abazie.

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    • Abstract
    Background: Mentalization refers to the ability to comprehend and appreciate the mental states of self and others. Deficits in mentalization, particularly hypomentalization, have been observed to be strongly linked to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The 8-item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) is a brief instrument commonly used to measure hypomentalization, but it has not been validated in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the RFQ-8, scored unidimensionally to measure hypomentalization, among Nigerian clinical and non-clinical populations.
    Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Lagos with 159 participants (53 patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), 53 first-degree relatives, and 53 healthy controls). Data were collected using the RFQ-8, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale–Short Form (DERS-SF), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Reliability, convergent and divergent validity, and exploratory factor analysis were examined.
    Results: The RFQ-8 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.901). Its convergent validity was supported by a strong positive correlation with the DERS-SF (r = 0.720, p < 0.001). A weak non-significant correlation with BPRS scores (r = 0.095, p = 0.499) suggested divergent validity. Exploratory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure (KMO = 0.964, Bartlett’s χ² = 2773.152, p < 0.001), with a single factor accounting for 94.6% of the variance.
    Conclusion: The RFQ-8 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing mentalization deficit in Nigerian populations, including patients with FEP. Its brevity and impressive psychometric properties make it appropriate for use in clinical practice and research.

    Key words: First episode psychosis, Mentalization, Psychometric validation, RFQ-8, Schizophrenia


    		 
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    How to Cite this Article
    Pubmed Style

    Adesina IO, Obembe OB, Lawal AA, Bello-mojeed MA, Oyewole FI, Adesina OR, Adenusi SA, Abazie O. Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations. NJP. 2026; 23(2): 32-39. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002

    Web Style

    Adesina IO, Obembe OB, Lawal AA, Bello-mojeed MA, Oyewole FI, Adesina OR, Adenusi SA, Abazie O. Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations. https://nigerianjournalofpsychiatry.com/?mno=306002 [Access: June 30, 2026]. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002

    AMA (American Medical Association) Style

    Adesina IO, Obembe OB, Lawal AA, Bello-mojeed MA, Oyewole FI, Adesina OR, Adenusi SA, Abazie O. Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations. NJP. 2026; 23(2): 32-39. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002


    Vancouver/ICMJE Style

    Adesina IO, Obembe OB, Lawal AA, Bello-mojeed MA, Oyewole FI, Adesina OR, Adenusi SA, Abazie O. Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations. NJP. (2026), [cited June 30, 2026]; 23(2): 32-39. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002


    Harvard Style

    Adesina, I. O., Obembe, . O. B., Lawal, . A. A., Bello-mojeed, . M. A., Oyewole, . F. I., Adesina, . O. R., Adenusi, . S. A. & Abazie, . O. (2026) Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations. NJP, 23 (2), 32-39. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002


    Turabian Style

    Adesina, Ismail Olaiitan, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Abisola Ayodele Lawal, Mashudat Abiola Bello-mojeed, Favour Ikeoluwa Oyewole, Odunayo Rukayat Adesina, Shalom Anu-oluwapo Adenusi, and Onyema Abazie. 2026. Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, 23 (2), 32-39. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002


    Chicago Style

    Adesina, Ismail Olaiitan, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Abisola Ayodele Lawal, Mashudat Abiola Bello-mojeed, Favour Ikeoluwa Oyewole, Odunayo Rukayat Adesina, Shalom Anu-oluwapo Adenusi, and Onyema Abazie. "Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry 23 (2026), 32-39. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002


    MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

    Adesina, Ismail Olaiitan, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Abisola Ayodele Lawal, Mashudat Abiola Bello-mojeed, Favour Ikeoluwa Oyewole, Odunayo Rukayat Adesina, Shalom Anu-oluwapo Adenusi, and Onyema Abazie. "Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry 23.2 (2026), 32-39. Print. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002


    APA (American Psychological Association) Style

    Adesina, I. O., Obembe, . O. B., Lawal, . A. A., Bello-mojeed, . M. A., Oyewole, . F. I., Adesina, . O. R., Adenusi, . S. A. & Abazie, . O. (2026) Psychometric Properties of the 8-Item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) in Nigerian Clinical and Non-Clinical Populations. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, 23 (2), 32-39. doi:10.5455/NJP.306002


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