Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual Analysis

Jie Yu, Junqing Chen, Lili Yang Department of Nursing, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lili Yang, Nursing Department, The Fou...

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Main Authors: Yu J, Chen J, Yang L
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/subjective-memory-complaints-a-conceptual-analysis-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH
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author Yu J
Chen J
Yang L
author_facet Yu J
Chen J
Yang L
author_sort Yu J
collection DOAJ
description Jie Yu, Junqing Chen, Lili Yang Department of Nursing, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lili Yang, Nursing Department, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Room 308, 1th Shangcheng Avenue, Yiwu, Zhejiang, 322000, People’s Republic of China, Email 3200006@zju.edu.cnObjective: To clarify the concept and connotation of subjective memory complaints.Methods: A total of 89 papers were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP database, MedLine, Web of Science, OVID and Scopus. The search time limit was from January 1, 1982 to December 31, 2024. Walker and Avant’s conceptual analysis method was applied.Results: Through in-depth analysis, the defining attributes of the subjective memory complaints were memory dysfunction, cognitive decline risk, low help-seeking intentions, and notable memory-related negative emotions. Antecedents involve demographic, lifestyle, psychological, and health-related factors. Consequences include neurodegenerative diseases, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Multiple assessment tools such as the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire and Memory Assessment Complaint Questionnaire were presented, providing means for measuring SMC in research and clinical practice.Conclusion: Defining this concept aids early screening and intervention for MCI and AD, helping clinical staff develop strategies to improve cognitive function, quality of life, and mental health.Keywords: subjective memory complaints, memory function, cognitive disorder, conceptual analysis, conceptual attributes
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spelling doaj-art-cfe3b7a82c8042eb9f8ce4548d03731e2025-08-20T03:11:45ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare1178-23902025-07-01Volume 18Issue 139673976104726Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual AnalysisYu J0Chen J1Yang L2Department of NursingDepartment of NursingDepartment of NursingJie Yu, Junqing Chen, Lili Yang Department of Nursing, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lili Yang, Nursing Department, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Room 308, 1th Shangcheng Avenue, Yiwu, Zhejiang, 322000, People’s Republic of China, Email 3200006@zju.edu.cnObjective: To clarify the concept and connotation of subjective memory complaints.Methods: A total of 89 papers were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP database, MedLine, Web of Science, OVID and Scopus. The search time limit was from January 1, 1982 to December 31, 2024. Walker and Avant’s conceptual analysis method was applied.Results: Through in-depth analysis, the defining attributes of the subjective memory complaints were memory dysfunction, cognitive decline risk, low help-seeking intentions, and notable memory-related negative emotions. Antecedents involve demographic, lifestyle, psychological, and health-related factors. Consequences include neurodegenerative diseases, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Multiple assessment tools such as the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire and Memory Assessment Complaint Questionnaire were presented, providing means for measuring SMC in research and clinical practice.Conclusion: Defining this concept aids early screening and intervention for MCI and AD, helping clinical staff develop strategies to improve cognitive function, quality of life, and mental health.Keywords: subjective memory complaints, memory function, cognitive disorder, conceptual analysis, conceptual attributeshttps://www.dovepress.com/subjective-memory-complaints-a-conceptual-analysis-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDHsubjective memory complaintsmemory functioncognitive disorderconceptual analysisconceptual attributes
spellingShingle Yu J
Chen J
Yang L
Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual Analysis
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
subjective memory complaints
memory function
cognitive disorder
conceptual analysis
conceptual attributes
title Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual Analysis
title_full Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual Analysis
title_fullStr Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual Analysis
title_short Subjective Memory Complaints: A Conceptual Analysis
title_sort subjective memory complaints a conceptual analysis
topic subjective memory complaints
memory function
cognitive disorder
conceptual analysis
conceptual attributes
url https://www.dovepress.com/subjective-memory-complaints-a-conceptual-analysis-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH
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