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Validation of the Prospective Memory Concerns Questionnaire Informant Scale (PMCQi): How personality and self/proxy
Nicole Sugden1, Jessica Driscoll1, Todd Fowler1
1School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University.
Psychological Assessment
|June 4, 2026
Summary
Informant reports on prospective memory (PM) are valid, especially when considering the informant's personality. The Prospective Memory Concerns Questionnaire-informant version (PMCQi) is reliable and predicts memory performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Validity of informant reports for prospective memory (PM) is often questioned due to potential biases.
- The Prospective Memory Concerns Questionnaire-informant version (PMCQi) was developed to address this gap.
- Understanding factors influencing informant ratings is crucial for accurate memory assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt and validate the PMCQi for assessing prospective memory concerns.
- To examine the correspondence between PMCQi scores, self-reported memory concerns, and objective PM task performance.
- To investigate the influence of informant personality traits (Big Five) and relationship characteristics on PMCQi scores.
Main Methods:
- 305 adults completed self-report measures of PM, memory, and personality.
- Informants (n=305) completed informant versions of questionnaires and rated participant performance.
- Statistical analyses examined reliability, factor structure, agreement, and moderation effects.
Main Results:
- The PMCQi demonstrated high reliability and a similar factor structure to the self-report version.
- Both self-report and informant PMCQ scores correlated with event-based PM task performance.
- Informant neuroticism was associated with higher PMCQi scores, while agreeableness was associated with lower scores.
- Relationship characteristics did not significantly influence PMCQi scores.
Conclusions:
- The PMCQi is a valid and reliable measure for assessing prospective memory concerns from an informant's perspective.
- Informant personality traits, particularly neuroticism and agreeableness, are important considerations in memory assessments.
- Clinicians and researchers should incorporate informant reports and consider personality factors for a comprehensive evaluation of PM concerns.
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