Evaluation of the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) in cognitive screening across four American ethnic groups

The purpose of this study was to examine the performance of the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) in four American ethnic groups (N = 691), evaluate the influence of demographic factors and depressive symptoms on the FAQ and compare its performance with two cognitive screening measures, the Mini-Cog and the MMSE. Half of FAQ items were less frequently done by men than women. FAQ total scores did not differ across the four ethnic groups but regression analyses indicated effects for age, education and depressive symptoms. The Mini-Cog and MMSE evidenced demographic and depressive symptom effects. FAQ performed well across the ethnic groups. Development of age and education corrections for the FAQ is recommended as is a screen for depression in cognitive screening batteries.