A-014 Positive, but not negative, self-perceptions of aging predict cognitive function in older adults

Abstract

Abstract Objective Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) refer to expectations and attitudes about one’s aging process and are robustly linked to physical health and longevity outcomes. How SPA correlates with cognitive function in older adulthood is less well known. Thus, the present study sought to examine how a multidimensional measure of SPA correlated with older adult’s performance on a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Method 136 community-dwelling older adults (Mage = 70.18, SDage = 5.79 years) from Southeast Idaho were administered a multidimensional measure of SPA; The Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ). This 17-item questionnaire requires participants to rate their agreement with positive and negative statements concerning their aging process. Participants were also administered a demographics form and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery that included measures of memory, attention and executive function. Results Both positive and negative subscales of the B-APQ were correlated with various aspects of cognitive function. After controlling for age, sex and education, regression analyses revealed that positive subscales of the B-APQ predicted mental status (β = .19, p < .05), short-delay memory (β = .16, p < .05), processing speed (β = −.21, p < .05) and two measures of executive function (β = −.21, p < .01; β = .18, p < .05). The negative subscales of the B-APQ were not predictive of any cognitive domain. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate that independent of selected sociodemographic factors, positive, but not negative dimensions of SPA relate to a wide range of cognitive abilities in older adulthood. We discuss our results in terms of positive psychology and the potential for interventions to improve cognitive function in older adults.