A Psychometric Evaluation of the Dutch Revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire.
A Wirsching, T Bostoen, A C Huizink
Journal of psychoactive drugs January 1, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2272832 via PubMed
Summary
The Dutch 30-item Revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) has demonstrated strong reliability and validity for assessing mystical experiences related to psychedelics. In a survey of 322 Dutch-speaking adults, the questionnaire showed good internal reliability with scores between .81 and .94. Participants who reported having had a mystical experience scored significantly higher, confirming construct validity. Additionally, MEQ30 scores predicted meaningfulness and positive changes in well-being, providing preliminary evidence for predictive validity.
Study at a glance
| Design | observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 322 |
| Population | Dutch-speaking adults who reported on profound experiences with psychedelics |
| Key finding | The Dutch MEQ30 demonstrated strong reliability and validity, effectively measuring self-reported mystical experiences associated with psychedelics. |
Abstract
In the Netherlands, scientific interest in psychedelics and their subjective effects has been increasing. The present study examined the reliability, construct and predictive validity of the Dutch 30-item Revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30), a self-report measure that has been used to assess subjective and mystical experiences occasioned by psychedelics. In an online survey, 322 Dutch-speaking adults retrospectively reported on profound experiences with psychedelics. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that both a four-factor structure and the same model extended with the MEQ30-total score as a second-order latent variable fit the data. Factor scores showed good internal reliability (α = between .81 and .94) and were significantly higher in participants that beforehand endorsed having had a mystical experience compared to those that did not, providing evidence for the construct validity of the questionnaire as a measure for self-reported mystical experiences. Additionally, MEQ30 scores significantly predicted the meaningfulness and spiritual significance of the psychedelic experience, as well as self-reported positive changes in well-being, life satisfaction and behavior, providing preliminary evidence for the predictive validity of the Dutch MEQ30. Findings suggest the reliability and validity of the Dutch MEQ30 and support the use of the scale in future studies on the subjective effects of psychedelics.