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Published on: July 19, 2017
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Task-Based Attentional Control: The Role of Anxiety and Age
Amanda E Messerlie1, Leslie M Guidotti Breting2, John E Calamari1
1Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA.
Summary
Anxiety negatively impacts cognitive functions like set-shifting and inhibition, with age being an independent predictor of poorer performance. These effects were consistent across the adult lifespan, underscoring the need for anxiety assessment in all patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Attentional Control Theory (ACT) suggests anxiety impairs cognitive functions such as working memory and processing efficiency.
- Anxiety's effects on set-shifting and inhibition are not well-studied in clinical populations or across different age groups.
- This study investigates how age and anxiety influence set-shifting and inhibition performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between age, anxiety, and performance on set-shifting and inhibition tasks.
- To determine if age moderates the relationship between anxiety and attentional control.
- To test predictions derived from Attentional Control Theory in a diverse adult sample.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 521 outpatient participants (mean age 50.39 years).
- Assessed set-shifting using the Trail Making Test Difference score.
- Measured inhibition using the Stroop Color-Word Test Interference score.
Main Results:
- Both increased age and higher anxiety levels significantly predicted worse performance on set-shifting and inhibition tasks.
- These associations remained significant after controlling for demographic variables, ADHD, depression, and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
- No significant interaction was found between age and anxiety, indicating anxiety's impact was consistent across age groups.
Conclusions:
- Anxiety is linked to poorer performance in set-shifting and inhibition, supporting Attentional Control Theory.
- Older age independently predicts reduced performance in these cognitive domains.
- Anxiety affects attentional control similarly across the adult lifespan, highlighting the need for anxiety screening in neuropsychological evaluations for all ages.
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