Validation of the Russian version of the cognitive functioning self‑assessment scale (CFSS) in patients with non‑psychotic mental disorders

Background Cognitive assessment is vital for detecting impairments affecting quality of life, occupational functioning, and prognosis. While objective cognitive tests are available, tools assessing subjective cognition are limited. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Cognitive Functioning Self-Assessment Scale (CFSS) into Russian and to examine its internal consistency, structural validity, and convergent validity in patients with non-psychotic mental disorders.Methods The CFSS was translated and culturally adapted into Russian following international guidelines. The sample consisted of 322 consecutively recruited patients (18–60 years) with non-psychotic mental disorders. Participants completed the Russian version of CFSS, Patient Health Questionnaire‑9 (PHQ‑9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder‑7 (GAD‑7), and the cognitive facet of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL‑100).Results The Russian version of CFSS showed excellent internal consistency (α = 0.925; ω = 0.929). ESEM supported a one‑factor structure with acceptable fit (CFI = 0.985; TLI = 0.983; RMSEA = 0.072). CFSS scores were associated with the WHOQOL‑100 cognitive facet (r = −0.67, p < 0.001), PHQ‑9 (r = 0.55, p < 0.001), and GAD‑7 (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). In an exploratory secondary analysis, participants with higher CFSS scores differed from those with lower CFSS scores in several sociodemographic and self-reported clinical characteristics.Conclusions The Russian version of CFSS is a reliable, valid, and practical instrument for assessing subjective cognitive functioning in patients with non‑psychotic psychiatric disorders. Further studies incorporating objective neuropsychological measures and repeated assessments are needed to evaluate concurrent/criterion-related validity and temporal reliability.