Measurement of overgeneral autobiographical memory: Psychometric properties of the autobiographical memory test in young and older populations

Laura Ros, Dulce Romero, Jorge J Ricarte, Juan P Serrano, Marta Nieto, Jose M Latorre, Laura Ros, Dulce Romero, Jorge J Ricarte, Juan P Serrano, Marta Nieto, Jose M Latorre

Abstract

The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is the most widely used measure of overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM). The AMT appears to have good psychometric properties, but more research is needed on the influence and applicability of individual cue words in different languages and populations. To date, no studies have evaluated its usefulness as a measure of OMG in Spanish or older populations. This work aims to analyze the applicability of the AMT in young and older Spanish samples. We administered a Spanish version of the AMT to samples of young (N = 520) and older adults (N = 155). We conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), item response theory-based analysis (IRT) and differential item functioning (DIF). Results confirm the one-factor structure for the AMT. IRT analysis suggests that both groups find the AMT easy given that they generally perform well, and that it is more precise in individuals who score low on memory specificity. DIF analysis finds three items differ in their functioning depending on age group. This differential functioning of these items affects the overall AMT scores and, thus, they should be excluded from the AMT in studies comparing young and older samples. We discuss the possible implications of the samples and cue words used.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1. Test information function (solid line)…
Fig 1. Test information function (solid line) and standard error of measurement (dashed line) for the AMT.
Left-hand graph: younger group; Right-hand graph: older group. Specificity and SEM are measured on a standardized scale. Probability = the precision of the test at a particular point, measured in a squared metric. SEM = the precision with which an individual’s level of ability on the AMT can be estimated using the current scale. The SEM is lowest, and hence estimates are more precise, where the test information function is at its peak.
Fig 2. Item response functions for DIF…
Fig 2. Item response functions for DIF items between young and older groups.
Reference: young group; Focal: older group. For an item exhibiting no age group-DIF, the red and black lines would coincide so that both groups would have the same probability (item score) of responding with a specific memory at every point along the latent trait (theta). Uniform and non-uniform DIF manifest themselves as parallel and non-parallel item response functions, respectively.
Fig 3. Differences in true scores for…
Fig 3. Differences in true scores for DIF items between young and older groups.
Items scores are presented as standardized. The line shows the absolute difference between the Item Characteristic Curves for the two groups (young and older). Where the line is higher indicates at what level of the latent trait Specificity (theta) the difference is greater.

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