A-51 A Novel Memory Catastrophizing Scale

Abstract

Objective A weak relationship exists between subjective memory complaints and performance on objective measures of learning and memory. A memory catastrophizing scale may explain this relationship. Our objective is to preliminarily explore a scale which assesses catastrophizing. Method The sample consisted of 46 patients (21 normal profiles, 25 mild cognitive impairment; mean age 56.1 ± 15.4) in a community-based neurology clinic. Each patient completed a clinical interview and comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-II) was used to assess memory; the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms; a novel Memory Catastrophizing Scale (MCS) was used to assess subjective memory. Results A reliability analysis revealed internal consistency throughout the MCS (Cronbach’s alpha = .958). A bivariate correlation revealed that memory catastrophizing was significantly positively correlated with depressive (r = 0.623, p < 0.01) and anxiety (r = 0.433, p < 0.01) symptomology. Bivariate correlations demonstrated significant positive correlations between subjective memory complaints and memory (CVLT-II SDFR r = 0.502, p < .05; SDCR r = 0.434, p = 0.05; LDCR r = 0.512, p < .05) only among NP patients. The mean MCS score was 26 (±17), with a median of 17, a skewness of 0.40 and kurtosis of -0.77. Conclusion Our results support past research suggesting that there is a weak relationship between subjective and objective memory performances. Catastrophizing as a concept may explain the relationship between mood and performance on testing, especially amongst individuals without a known neurological pathology seeking treatment at a community-based neurological clinic.