A Potential Measure of Premorbid Functioning: Evaluating the Construct Validity of the Author and Magazine Recognition Tests

Abstract

Objective To establish convergent and discriminant validity for a combined measure of print exposure (i.e., Author Recognition Test and Magazine Recognition Test [ART/MRT]) and assess its potential utility for estimating premorbid cognitive functioning. Method Community-dwelling older adults (N = 84; 95% non-Hispanic White) completed the ART/MRT, Test of Premorbid Functioning (ToPF), Dementia Rating Scale – 2nd Edition (DRS-2), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised (HVLT-R-DR), and select subtests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System (D-KEFS) as measures of executive functioning (i.e., D-KEFS-EF) and processing speed (i.e., D-KEFS-PS). Pearson correlations and linear regressions were used to examine the relationships between the ART/MRT, cognition, and demographics. Results Cognitive scores, with the exception of HVLT-R-DR, were positively correlated with ART/MRT score such that better cognitive performance was associated with greater print exposure (range r = 0.39–0.49). ART/MRT score was positively correlated with years of education and negatively correlated with age. ToPF and DRS-2 differentially and uniquely predicted ART/MRT score beyond the other cognitive and demographic variables and beyond each other. Conclusions Findings indicate that measures of print exposure reflect crystallized knowledge but may also capture fluid abilities that may be more vulnerable to age-related decline or neurodegeneration. Assessment of print exposure may offer an alternative to word reading measures that may be inappropriate for translation into other languages and for use with individuals with certain language difficulties.