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Cognitive engagement and cognitive aging: is openness protective?
Emily Schoenhofen Sharp1, Chandra A Reynolds, Nancy L Pedersen
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, 3620 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1061, USA. schoenho@usc.edu
Psychology and Aging
|March 17, 2010
Summary
Openness to experience is linked to better cognitive performance in aging adults. However, this personality trait did not predict changes in cognitive decline over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognitive performance naturally declines with age.
- Understanding factors influencing cognitive aging is crucial for public health.
- Personality traits may play a role in cognitive trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between openness to experience and cognitive performance in older adults.
- To determine if openness influences longitudinal changes in cognitive abilities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) with 857 participants.
- Assessed five cognitive domains: verbal ability, spatial ability, memory, processing speed, and a global score (g).
- Employed latent growth curve models to analyze cognitive performance levels and trajectories over time.
Main Results:
- Higher openness to experience correlated with significantly better cognitive test scores across all domains for both genders.
- These associations remained significant after controlling for education, cardiovascular disease, and daily living activities.
- Openness to experience did not predict individual differences in the rate of cognitive change over time.
Conclusions:
- Openness to experience is associated with higher baseline cognitive function in older age.
- The findings suggest personality may influence cognitive status but not necessarily the rate of cognitive decline.
- Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms linking personality and cognitive aging.
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