Psychometric properties and correlates of the Polish version of the Squire Subjective Memory Questionnaire (SSMQ)

- SSMQ is a tool for measuring one's own memory distrust.
- The Polish adaptation of SSMQ proved to have good reliability and validity.
- It can be used e.g. by forensic psychologists.

The term “memory distrust” describes a phenomenon in which individuals have a profound distrust of their own memory ability. This article presents the results of research on the Polish version of an instrument that was developed to measure trait memory distrust, the Squire Subjective Memory Questionnaire (SSMQ). A total of 1193 individuals were recruited at high schools, a university, and through online advertisements. The SSMQ was found to have satisfactory internal consistency, validity, and test-retest reliability. Trusting one's memory was correlated with more favorable and beneficial traits, like hedonic tone, energetic arousal, self-efficacy, and positivity, while memory distrust was related to tense arousal and compliance. Mediation analyses revealed that memory distrust affects various individual traits via lowered self-esteem. The results confirmed that the Polish version of the SSMQ can be a useful screening tool for differentiating between people who do and do not suffer from memory distrust, and thus, for identifying witnesses who are prone to memory distortions.