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Memory awareness among Japanese nursing facility residents.
S Ide1, G J McDougall, M H Wykle
1Department of Nursing, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Japan.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
|September 18, 1999
Summary
Depression significantly impacts memory awareness in older adults, particularly affecting their capacity and change perceptions. Cognitive status alone did not predict metamemory, but depression
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Metamemory, or memory awareness, is crucial for cognitive function in elderly populations.
- Depression is a prevalent comorbidity in geriatric settings and may influence cognitive self-perceptions.
- Understanding factors affecting metamemory is vital for interventions in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between depression, cognitive status, and metamemory in elderly residents of geriatric facilities.
- To determine if depression moderates the association between cognitive impairment and metamemory.
- To explore the influence of demographic factors and medical history, such as stroke, on metamemory.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 117 elderly residents from seven geriatric facilities in Tokyo.
- Data collection through face-to-face interviews using validated instruments: Mini-Mental State Examination, Metamemory in Adulthood questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, and demographic questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis to assess the role of depression and cognitive status on metamemory subscales (achievement, capacity, change, locus, strategy).
Main Results:
- Depression was a significant predictor of metamemory, explaining 17% of the variance in capacity and 23% in change.
- No significant differences in metamemory subscales were found between mild cognitive impairment and cognitively intact groups when depression was not considered.
- Depression emerged as a moderating factor, revealing differences in metamemory between cognitive levels.
- History of stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was not directly related to metamemory in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Depression is a critical factor influencing metamemory in the elderly, independent of overall cognitive status.
- Interventions targeting depression may improve memory awareness and self-efficacy in older adults.
- Future research should examine memory awareness in brain-injured populations, given the high prevalence of stroke history.