Executive Function and Subjective Well-being in Middle and Late Adulthood

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• Subjective well-being (SWB) is crucial for healthy aging, encompassing life satisfaction and positive emotions.
• Research has explored psychosocial factors influencing SWB, but the role of executive function (EF) remains less understood in middle and late adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between executive function (EF) and subjective well-being (SWB) in adults.
• To examine the mediating roles of sense of control and positive reappraisal in the EF-SWB link.
• To determine if age moderates these mediational pathways.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a nationally representative adult cohort (ages 30s-80s) from the Midlife Development in the United States 2 study.
• Statistical examination of mediation by sense of control and positive reappraisal.
• Assessment of age-related differences in mediation effects.

Main Results:

• Sense of control significantly mediated the relationship between EF and SWB (life satisfaction and affective well-being).
• Positive reappraisal did not act as a significant mediator.
• The mediating effect of sense of control was more pronounced in older adults.

Conclusions:

• Executive function (EF) in later life promotes a sense of control, which enhances life satisfaction and positive affect.
• Sense of control acts as a crucial mediator linking EF to SWB, particularly in older age.
• EF serves as a protective resource against age-related declines in control and SWB.