Creation and Validation of the MMQ-9: A Short Version of the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire for Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES

Memory concerns are common among older adults. The Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) is a well-validated participant-reported measure consisting of 57 items across three subscales assessing satisfaction with memory, self-perceived memory ability, and memory strategy use, respectively. Because short scales are often desired to accommodate clinical time constraints and reduce respondent burden, we created and evaluated 9-item versions of each subscale (MMQ-9).

METHODS

In Study 1, we used an optimization strategy to identify subsets of items that maximized subscale reliability in a sample of 560 adults ages 50-90. In Study 2, we examined psychometric properties of the MMQ-9 in an independent sample of 638 adults ages 51-95.

RESULTS

Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of each subscale met published criteria for good measurement properties. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the original factor structure. A hierarchical series of invariance models showed excellent fit, confirming robust measurement invariance across age, gender, and education.

CONCLUSIONS

The shortened MMQ-9 is a reliable, valid, and invariant measure of metamemory in middle-aged and older adults.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The MMQ-9 is a reasonable instrument of choice when brief yet psychometrically strong measures of participant-reported memory are required for clinical assessment of patients with memory concerns.