Metacognitive beliefs and worries in relation to subjective success: evidence from Brazil and Portugal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2026.v16.1640Keywords:
success, metacognitive beliefs, worry, metacognitive therapyAbstract
Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between metacognitive beliefs, worry, and subjective perceptions of success in a sample of 291 adults, predominantly from Brazil and Portugal. Objective: Based on Wells’ metacognitive model, we hypothesized that negative metacognitive beliefs would be associated with lower perceived success, whereas positive beliefs would show no significant association. Results: Results supported these predictions. Negative metacognitive beliefs were significantly associated with lower levels of perceived success, with individuals in the “Not successful” and “Partially successful” groups reporting higher levels of dysfunctional worry. In contrast, positive metacognitive beliefs did not vary across success groups. Conclusion: These findings highlight the central role of negative metacognitions in shaping subjective success and suggest that interventions targeting maladaptive worry processes may enhance well-being. The study extends metacognitive theory to non-clinical, transgenerational populations and contributes to understanding psychological factors underlying perceived achievement.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Renata Borja Pereira Ferreira de Mello, Hans Morten Nordahl, Maria Natália Pereira Ramos, Ana Paula Pacheco Cacau, Guilherme Moreira e Alcântara
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