Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effects of aging on mind wandering (MW) using a sustained attention to response task (SART) with a low cognitive demand. All task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs) and the subcategory of stimulus-independent thoughts (SITUTs) were examined across the adult life span. The relationship between MW, cognitive variables (attention, inhibition, working memory), and non-cognitive variables (mindfulness, psychological well-being, and anxiety) was investigated. The sample included 210 healthy participants from 20 to 89 years old. The overall results showed few or no age-related changes in both TUTs and SITUTs. Path analyses revealed that the effect of age on both TUTs and SITUTs was only indirect and mediated by attentional resources, as well as by some aspects of psychological well-being (i.e., emotional competence), which had a direct effect, however. These findings raise doubts about any age-related differences between young and older adults’ MW. Changes in MW across the adult life span are thus discussed along with the method and tasks used to assess it and different variables affecting it.
Highlights
In everyday life, our attention is not always on the here and
The main goal of the present study was to assess the effects of age on mind wandering (MW), and on TUT and stimulus-independent thoughts (SITUTs) frequency experienced across the adult life span up to very old age (89 years)
We examined both overall TUTs and SITUTs because focusing on TUTs enabled us to compare our data with the majority of other MW studies, while SITUTs are more representative of distinctive core aspects of MW
Summary
Our attention is not always on the here and now. Our attention is not always on the here and It fluctuates between mental content from both intrinsic and extrinsic sources. A long tradition of research has confirmed that people’s attention is continually shifting from a current train of thought (often an external task) to mental content generated by the individual rather than by the environment only (Smallwood and Schooler 2015). This complex phenomenon is called mind wandering (MW). It can be intentional or unintentional, and it can involve a greater or lesser awareness and disengagement from the external stimuli being processed at the time. Cheyne et al (2009) clearly explained the interaction between MW intentionality and engagement in the task by means of a model
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
