B - 62 The Clinical Utility of the BAI Compared to the GAI in Community Dwelling Older Adults.

Abstract

Given the potential impact anxiety may have on cognitive performance, the current study explored the relationship of both the Beck Anxiety inventory (BAI) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) to cognitive performance in community dwelling older adults. Specifically, the correlation of anxiety and depression symptomatology to performance on measures of executive functioning and processing speed was explored (Dorekamp & Vik, 2018; Najimi et al., 2015; Vytal et al., 2012). Archival data from a sample of 60 community dwelling older adult participants (female n = 54; White n = 52), with an average education of 13.83years and an average age of 76years were included. The BAI and GAI were used to determine anxiety levels. Processing speed and executive functioning were assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Coding subtest and Trail Making Test B respectively. Data was analyzed using Pearson's R product moment correlations. Pearson's R product moment correlations were significant between the BAI and RBANS Coding (r = -0.328; p = 0.011), Trails B (r = 0.295; p = 0.023), and the GAI (r = 0.268; p = 0.04). However, the GAI was only significantly associated with the BAI. While both the BAI and GAI are well established measures of anxiety in older adults, the BAI appears to be more sensitive to the effects of anxiety on executive functioning and processing speed in community dwelling older adults. Future directions related to exploration of severity and potential cut scores will be discussed.