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Do Worries About Cognitive Functioning and Concerns About Developing Alzheimer's Disease Affect Psychological
Stephen J Cutler1,2, Corina Brăgaru2
11 University of Vermont, Burlington, USA.
Journal of Aging and Health
|May 30, 2017
Summary
Cognitive worries negatively impact psychological well-being in middle-aged adults. These concerns do not appear to have long-term effects and do not disproportionately affect those with a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Concerns about cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are prevalent in middle-aged and older adults.
- Understanding the impact of these worries on psychological well-being is crucial for public health.
- Existing research has not fully elucidated the long-term effects or specific risk factors associated with cognitive worries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cognitive worries and psychological well-being.
- To determine if the effects of cognitive worries on well-being are long-term.
- To examine whether having a parent with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exacerbates the impact of cognitive worries on well-being.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study utilizing structural equation models with three waves of data from adults aged 40-60.
- Development of summative scores for cognitive functioning concerns and dementia worries.
- Assessment of psychological well-being using measures of depression, life satisfaction, stress, and mastery.
Main Results:
- Cognitive worries consistently correlated with lower psychological well-being across all three data collection waves.
- No statistically significant long-term or lagged effects of cognitive worries on well-being were identified.
- The association between cognitive worries and well-being was similar in adult children of individuals with AD and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive worries are a significant, albeit not long-term, detriment to psychological well-being in middle-aged adults.
- Healthcare practitioners should recognize and address cognitive worries due to their immediate negative impact on mental health.
- Further research could explore interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of cognitive worries.
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