A-47 Self-reported Difficulties in Retrospective Memory Predict Poor Verbal Memory Performance

Abstract

Abstract Objective Prospective and retrospective memory complaints are common among older adults with mixed results regarding their relationship with objective memory performance. This study investigated how subjective memory reports relate to objective memory function in a clinical sample. Method Participants (N = 139, Mage = 69.9, SD = 9.2) completed a cognitive screen at a university clinic. The assessment included the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (verbal memory), the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised (visual memory) and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, a subjective memory measure with higher scores indicating greater perceived difficulties. Correlations and linear regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between subjective and objective memory (a priori p-value = .01). Results Retrospective memory was correlated with immediate (r = -.35, p < .001) and delayed verbal memory (r = -.31, p < .001) but unrelated to visual memory (p > .05). Prospective memory was not correlated with performance on visual or verbal memory tasks (p > .05). Retrospective memory accounted for 12.3% of the variation in immediate (adjusted R2 = 11.6%; medium effect size), and 9.3% of the variation in delayed verbal memory (adjusted R2 = 8.6%; small effect size). Retrospective memory significantly predicted immediate [F(1, 132) = 18.48, p < .001, 95% CI = -1.04 to -0.38] and delayed verbal memory scores [F(1, 132) = 13.51, p < .001, 95% CI = -1.09 to -0.33]. Conclusions Subjective reports of retrospective memory may be a better indicator of objective verbal memory performance than prospective memory in a clinical sample of older adults.