Introduction: Given the critical significance of cognitive functions in daily life and social interactions, the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) scale is particularly important in clinical practice. In addition to its quick implementation, there are no issues with lengthy implementation times or a lack of alternative forms. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the SCIP scale (SCIP-TR), which enables rapid and practical assessment of cognitive impairment in psychiatric settings.
Methods: This study involved 137 healthy students and hospital staff aged 18-45. Three alternative forms of the SCIP scale were adapted into Turkish using direct and reverse translation methods, and experts approved them to ensure content validity. Participants were administered one of the three alternative forms of the SCIP-TR and the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS), the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE), and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) scales. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using different forms of the SCIP-TR at 2-7 day intervals. The feasibility, reliability, and validity of the SCIP-TR forms were examined.
Results: The analysis showed no significant differences between the three forms in total scores. Cronbach’s alpha (0.715-0.750) and omega coefficients (0.709-0.784) demonstrated that the scale had acceptable internal consistency. Correlation coefficients confirmed the scale’s test-retest reliability. The exploratory factor analysis unveiled a single-factor structure that accounted for 50.2% of the total variance. The moderate correlation of SCIP-TR with B-CATS, which measures similar cognitive domains, supports convergent validity.
Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the SCIP as a reliable and simple tool for screening cognitive impairment in the general population. Its simplicity, brevity, and lack of need for a technological platform make it suitable for integration into clinical practice. Further research on SCIP-TR is needed in a more diverse demographic, including those with mental health disorders.
Keywords: cognition, reliability, SCIP, screening, Turkish version, validity.