Background: Difficulties with metacognitive abilities among patients with schizophrenia have 
serious effects on wellness, psychosocial challenges, recovery process and motivation. Some 
studies reported that higher levels of motivation do not emerge without a basic level of 
metacognition. Aim: To explore the relation between metacognitive abilities and motivation in 
patient with schizophrenia spectrum. Subjects and Method: Design: Descriptive correlational 
design. Setting: Inpatient psychiatric department of Tanta University Hospital and Psychiatry 
outpatient clinic. Subjects: A convenience sample of 100 patients with schizophrenia. Tools: 
Socio-demographic and Clinical characteristics, Motivational Traits Questionnaire and 
Metacognition Questionnaire-MCQ. Results: There was a highly statistical significant positive 
correlation between metacognition and motivation. Conclusion: It was concluded that 
motivation might be significantly improved when targeting the metacognitive abilities. 
Recommendation: This study recommended that metacognitive abilities should be assessed 
routinely for patients with schizophrenia. Psychotherapeutic intervention that could improve 
motivation in patients with schizophrenia should focus on stimulating metacognitive abilities.