Construct Validity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used screening tool for mild cognitive impairment.
• Establishing the construct validity and reliability of the MoCA is crucial for its accurate application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the construct-related validity of the MoCA by examining its factorial, convergent, and discriminant validities.
• To evaluate the reliability of the MoCA data in a Portuguese sample.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was employed to test several structural models of the MoCA.
• A Portuguese sample of 830 participants was utilized for the analysis.

Main Results:

• All tested models demonstrated good fit, with the six-factor model showing a significantly superior fit.
• Factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity were established for the six-dimensional MoCA structure.
• The study found overall psychometric adequacy and good reliability for the MoCA items.

Conclusions:

• The findings corroborate the six-dimensional structure of the MoCA.
• This study provides strong evidence for the construct-related validity of the MoCA.
• The MoCA is confirmed as an appropriate measure for cognitive screening across multiple domains, aiding in understanding cognitive profiles.