Impact of Stress and Awareness on Memory in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Mukherjee Shalini, Neupert Shevaun
Primary Institution: North Carolina State University
Hypothesis
How do daily interpersonal stressors and awareness of age-related changes affect memory function in older adults with and without arthritis?
Conclusion
The study found that interpersonal stressors significantly impact memory failures in older adults, especially those with arthritis experiencing low awareness of age-related changes.
Supporting Evidence
- High daily awareness of age-related changes is linked to more memory failures in individuals with arthritis.
- Low levels of awareness of age-related changes increase memory failures when exposed to stressors in those with arthritis.
- Interpersonal stressors affect memory failures in older adults regardless of their awareness of age-related changes.
Takeaway
This study shows that stress can make it harder for older people to remember things, especially if they have arthritis and aren't very aware of their age-related changes.
Methodology
Participants reported their arthritis diagnosis and completed daily questionnaires on awareness of age-related changes and stressors over 13 days.
Limitations
Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind the findings.
Participant Demographics
Older adults aged 50-85 years, with and without arthritis.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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