Attitudes Toward Aging and Subjective Cognitive Complaints: Does Depression Moderate Their Relationship?
2024

Attitudes Toward Aging and Cognitive Complaints

Sample size: 51 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Colombowala Fatema, Bower Emily

Primary Institution: Pacific University

Hypothesis

Negative attitudes would be associated with more subjective cognitive complaints.

Conclusion

More negative attitudes toward aging are linked to higher subjective cognitive complaints, and depression strengthens this relationship.

Supporting Evidence

  • Subjective cognitive decline affects a significant portion of older adults, with prevalence ranging from 12.3% to 57%.
  • Negative attitudes toward aging may lead to heightened subjective cognitive complaints.
  • Depression was found to strengthen the relationship between attitudes toward aging and subjective cognitive complaints.

Takeaway

If older people think negatively about aging, they might complain more about their memory. Feeling depressed makes this even worse.

Methodology

Participants completed validated measures of subjective cognitive complaints, attitudes toward aging, and depression, and hypotheses were tested using linear regression models.

Participant Demographics

Predominantly female (72.5%), average age of 72 (SD = 8.5).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.007 for ATA and SCC, p = 0.0096 for depression moderation.

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0026

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication