The association between metamemory, subjective memory complaints, mood, and well-being: the Hungarian validation of Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire

The current study addressed the relationship between subjective memory complaints and negative affect, well-being, and demographic variables by investigating the Hungarian version of Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire. The original factor structure showed a poor fit on our data; therefore, principal component analysis was conducted on data from 577 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 92 years. Our analysis provided a six-component solution: Satisfaction, Retrospective memory mistakes, Prospective memory mistakes, External Strategies, Internal Strategies, and Frustration. To improve the reliability and internal consistency indicators we created four subscales by combining Frustration with Satisfaction, and Retrospective and Prospective memory mistakes subscales. Thus, we were able to preserve the factor structure similar to the original. Subjective memory complaints were correlated positively with anxiety and depression and were associated negatively with well-being. We found a slight positive correlation between age and memory ability, and age was associated negatively with the frequency of external strategy use. Individuals with higher education were satisfied with their memory, used more frequent external strategies. Furthermore, men were more satisfied with their memory and reported better memory ability, while women tended to use more external and internal strategies. Women also showed a higher level of anxiety and depression than men. In conclusion, self-reported memory changes are of particular importance because of their association with perceived mental health status and implications for later disease development.

Automated summary

This study examined the relationship between subjective memory complaints and negative affect, well-being, and demographic variables using the Hungarian version of the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire. The original factor structure did not fit well with the data, so a principal component analysis was conducted, resulting in a six-component solution. Subjective memory complaints were positively correlated with anxiety and depression, and negatively associated with well-being. Age showed a slight positive correlation with memory ability, but a negative association with the frequency of external strategy use. Higher education was associated with greater satisfaction with memory and more frequent use of external strategies. Men reported higher satisfaction with memory and better memory ability, while women tended to use more external and internal strategies and had higher levels of anxiety and depression. In conclusion, self-reported memory changes are important as they are related to perceived mental health and implications for future disease development.