The Everyday Memory Questionnaire-revised: development of a 13-item scale

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Assessment

Background:

• The Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ) is a subjective measure for assessing memory failures in daily life.
• Previous research explored the EMQ's factor structure in healthy individuals and those with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Purpose of the Study:

• Confirm the factor structure of the 28-item EMQ.
• Determine the internal consistency and criterion validity of the EMQ.
• Develop a shortened, more efficient version of the EMQ.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a retrospective design with data from MS and stroke patient studies.
• Explored psychometric properties of the 28-item EMQ (EMQ-28).
• Revised the measure based on comparative analyses between clinical and non-clinical groups.

Main Results:

• Factor analysis of the EMQ-28 identified two factors: general memory and attentional function.
• A revised 13-item measure (EMQ-R) was developed, also showing two factors: Retrieval and Attentional tracking.
• The EMQ-R demonstrated strong internal reliability and effectively discriminated between clinical and control groups.

Conclusions:

• The 28-item EMQ differentiates memory and attention systems, with some capacity for visual/verbal distinction.
• The revised 13-item EMQ (EMQ-R) is a valid, reliable tool with good face validity for neurological patients.
• Further research is recommended to fully establish the psychometric and clinical properties of the EMQ-R.