Psychometric properties of the self‐efficacy for managing mild cognitive impairment scale

OBJECTIVES: We adapted a self‐efficacy measure for managing chronic illness to be specific to persons with mild cognitive impairment (pwMCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the scale, the self‐efficacy for managing MCI scale, for use in research. METHODS: Analyses involved data from pwMCI enrolled in a behavioral intervention study that completed the measure five times from intervention enrollment to 18‐month post‐intervention. Factor structure, construct validity, internal consistency, and test‐retest reliability were analyzed. RESULTS: Factor analysis identified two factors, related to self‐efficacy for daily activities and managing MCI, which corresponded with domains from the original chronic illness self‐efficacy scale. Consistent with prior research, construct validity analysis suggested an association between memory‐loss self‐efficacy and psychosocial distress, but not cognitive or functional ability. Further analyses supported the scale's internal and test‐retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, no “gold standard” scale of memory‐loss self‐efficacy for pwMCI exists, despite the positive impact self‐efficacy may have on modifiable health behaviors. Overall, results supported the notion that the scale is a valid and reliable measure of memory‐loss self‐efficacy for pwMCI.