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Perceptions of subjective memory complaint in older adults: the Illness Perception Questionnaire – Memory (IPQ-M)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2010

Catherine S. Hurt ,
Alistair Burns ,
Richard G. Brown  and
Christine Barrowclough
Catherine S. Hurt*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, King's College London, U.K.
Alistair Burns
Affiliation:
Psychiatry Research Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.
Richard G. Brown
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, King's College London, U.K.
Christine Barrowclough
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Catherine S Hurt, Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology (PO77), King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, U.K. Phone: +44 2078480923; Fax: +44 2078485006. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background: Subjective Memory Complaints (SMCs) are common among middle-aged and older adults and are often a source of distress and worry. However, rates of help-seeking are low. Investigating perceptions of SMCs may help us better to understand psychological reactions to SMCs and help-seeking behavior. The present study had two aims: (i) to investigate whether the dimensions drawn from the Common Sense Model of Illness Perception (Leventhal et al., 1984) provide a valid model of perceptions held by patients with SMCs; and (ii) to develop a questionnaire to measure these perceptions.

Methods: Qualitative interviews to explore perceptions of SMCs were conducted with 32 participants recruited from a memory clinic and community groups. Information from these interviews was utilized to adapt the Illness Perception Questionnaire – Revised (IPQ-R) for use with patients with SMCs. Ninety-eight such patients then completed the adapted questionnaire along with measures of cognition, depression and subjective memory function.

Results: The dimensions of illness perception measured by the IPQ-R were present in participant accounts of SMCs with the exception of Timeline Cyclical. The adapted measure (IPQ-M) showed good validity and reliability.

Conclusions: The development of the IPQ-M provides opportunities for further investigation of illness perceptions and their relationship to psychological distress and help-seeking behavior in SMCs. Furthermore, investigation of these relationships may provide a basis from which to develop interventions to improve well-being and help-seeking in older adults with SMCs.

Keywords

subjective memory complaintsolder adultsbeliefsperceptions
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 5 , August 2010 , pp. 750 - 760
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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