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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
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Subjective Age and Changes in Memory in Older Adults
Yannick Stephan1, Angelina R Sutin2, Johan Caudroit3
1EA 4556 Dynamic of Human Abilities and Health Behaviors, University of Montpellier, France. yannick.stephan@univ-montp1.fr.
Summary
Feeling younger is linked to better memory in older adults. Fewer depressive symptoms partially explain this connection, highlighting the importance of subjective age for cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Subjective age, or how old one feels, impacts well-being and health in older adults.
- Previous research indicates a link between subjective age and health outcomes.
- The relationship between subjective age and cognitive function, specifically memory, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between subjective age and memory level and changes over time.
- To investigate the mediating roles of depressive symptoms and physical activity in this relationship.
- To understand how feeling younger or older influences cognitive aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from three waves (2008, 2010, 2012) of the Health and Retirement Study (N=5809).
- Assessed subjective age, baseline memory (immediate and delayed recall), depressive symptoms, and physical activity.
- Employed regression analyses and bootstrap procedures to analyze associations and mediation.
Main Results:
- A younger subjective age at baseline was associated with better concurrent memory performance.
- Feeling younger predicted a slower rate of memory decline (immediate and delayed recall).
- Fewer depressive symptoms mediated the link between subjective age and memory changes.
Conclusions:
- Subjective age is a significant factor associated with cognitive aging, independent of chronological age.
- The findings suggest that psychological factors like subjective age and mental health influence cognitive trajectories.
- Interventions targeting subjective age and depressive symptoms may support cognitive health in older adults.
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