Attention problems and off-topic verbosity among young adult and older adult age cohorts

Abstract

Off-topic verbosity refers to tangential discourse with excessive and irrelevant information. Previous research suggests that age-related increases in off-topic verbosity may be due to underlying changes in neurocognitive functioning. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between attention problems and off-topic verbosity. Young adults (n = 63) and older adults (n = 82) were administered a continuous performance test and provided speech samples, which were transcribed and rated for tangentiality, egocentrism, and quantity of speech. Overall, results found that attention problems were associated with greater tangentiality among older adults, but among young adults more attention problems were associated with lower quantity of speech. Attention problems may affect young adults’ and older adult’s speech in different ways, possibly reflecting differences in neurocognitive functioning or communication goals.