[Cognitive performance and performance concepts of the elderly. A contribution to basic gerontologic research].

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Self-concept of competence and achievement are crucial psychological constructs.
• Understanding these concepts in aging populations is vital for well-being.
• Previous research has not fully explored self-perceptions of competence in very old adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate three self-concepts of competence using a new instrument.
• To examine achievement and self-concepts in elderly individuals across different age groups.
• To explore the relationship between cognitive capacity and self-concepts in older adults.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 430 subjects aged 50-95.
• Utilized a new instrument, FSKN, to measure self-concepts of competence and achievement.
• Correlational analyses were performed between cognitive capacity (measured by nine instruments) and self-concepts.

Main Results:

• Elderly individuals, including those in retirement and aged 80-95, possess positive self-concepts of achievement.
• Self-concept favorability in the elderly was similar to that of schoolchildren, students, and younger adults.
• A positive correlation was found between objectively measured cognitive capacity and favorable self-concepts of achievement in older adults.

Conclusions:

• The study supports the hypothesis that elderly people have positive self-concepts of achievement.
• Objective cognitive capacity appears to positively influence subjective self-concepts of competence and achievement in older adults.
• Findings suggest that maintaining cognitive function is linked to positive self-perceptions in aging individuals.