Factor structure and measurement invariance of the cognitive failures questionnaire across the adult life span

Abstract

The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) is designed to assess a person’s proneness to committing cognitive slips
and errors in the completion of everyday tasks. Although the CFQ is a widely used instrument, its factor structure
remains an issue of scientific debate. The present study used data of a representative sample (N = 1,303, 24-83 years
of age) from the Maastricht Aging Study (MAAS) to test and compare factor solutions for the CFQ previously
reported in the literature by means of confirmatory factor analysis of ordered categorical variables. A three-factor
model of the CFQ from an exploratory factor analysis was tested for increasing levels of measurement invariance
across six age groups. Factor (co-)variances remained stable across the age groups, mean differences were observed
for the factor Forgetfulness with higher means for older participants, and the factor Distractibility where participants
older than 60 years of age had lower means.