Construct validity of the CoCo-P: Associations between cognitive complaints during participation and cognitive and emotional consequences

Cognitive complaints are common following acquired brain injury (ABI) and can hinder social participation. To address this, the CoCo-P was developed as a tool to identify cognitive restrictions experienced in various everyday contexts, such as work and leisure. This study aimed to evaluate the construct validity of the CoCo-P by assessing its associations with two widely used clinical questionnaires, the USER-P and CLCE-24, as reference measures. Forty-five ABI survivors completed these questionnaires, along with assessments of mood (HADS), self-efficacy (GSES), health-related quality of life (EQ6D), and cognitive functioning (MoCA). Results indicated strong positive associations between the CoCo-P and both USER-P and CLCE-24. Additionally, self-efficacy was strongly negatively associated with reported restrictions, while no significant associations were observed with estimated mood disorders or cognitive functions. These findings demonstrate the construct validity of the CoCo-P, supporting its potential as a valid tool for assessing cognitive restrictions experienced in daily life by individuals with ABI.