Development of the subjective cognitive function decline scale for middle-aged Koreans

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Existing cognitive decline assessments often overlook middle-aged populations and cultural specificities.
• There is a critical need for culturally relevant tools for early detection of potential mild cognitive impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Subjective Cognitive Function Decline Scale for Middle-aged South Koreans (SCFD-K).
• To provide a reliable measure for assessing subjective cognitive function decline in a specific demographic and cultural context.

Main Methods:

• Focus group interviews and expert Delphi method were used to develop the initial scale items.
• An online survey of 2,000 participants was conducted to examine the scale's reliability and validity.
• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to validate the scale's structure.

Main Results:

• The SCFD-K consists of 20 items across four factors: language, visuospatial function, personality/emotion, and memory.
• Exploratory factor analysis showed a cumulative variance ratio of 57.76%.
• Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a robust four-factor structure with good model fit indices and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.735-0.907).

Conclusions:

• The SCFD-K is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing cognitive decline in middle-aged South Koreans.
• The scale has significant cultural implications for South Korea.
• Findings support proactive interventions and inform future healthcare strategies for cognitive health.