The ANCog: A French self-report scale for assessing subjective cognitive complaints in rehabilitation samples

Cognitive difficulties are a major determinant of functioning and recovery in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. While objective assessments remain essential, subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) provide complementary insights into how individuals perceive their cognitive functioning in daily life. Few standardized tools are available in French to assess SCCs across the heterogeneous populations typically encountered in psychosocial rehabilitation. This study aimed to develop and validate the ANCog scale.

The ANCog was developed within recovery-oriented rehabilitation programs as a 24-item self-report tool covering attention, memory, executive functions, processing speed, and visuospatial abilities. A total of 173 patients with schizophrenia spectrum, neurodevelopmental, mood, anxiety, or substance use disorders, and 305 healthy controls completed the ANCog and the SSTICS (Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia). Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and factorial structure were examined.

ANCog scores were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < .001). Internal consistency was excellent (α = 0.915) and test-retest reliability high (ICC = 0.869). Factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure. Convergent validity with the SSTICS was strong (r = 0.975, p < .001). Confirmatory factor analysis in controls showed good model fit (CFI = 0.932, TLI = 0.920, RMSEA = 0.060).

The ANCog is a brief, reliable and ecologically valid French self-report scale for assessing subjective cognitive complaints in diverse rehabilitation samples. Developed to complement objective assessments, it provides structured access to patients' perceived cognitive difficulties, fostering metacognitive awareness and supporting individualized rehabilitation planning.