Everyday problem solving and instrumental activities of daily living: support for domain specificity.

Kristopher Kimbler

doi:10.3390/bs3010170

Abstract

Research suggests that performance on cognitive tasks resembling daily challenges (i.e., everyday problem-solving tasks) may be a better indicator of functional ability in old age compared to traditional measures of cognitive ability. Findings demonstrating this link, however, have yielded mixed results. The current study examined performance on the Everyday Problems Test (EPT) and self-reported ability to perform Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) in a sample of adults over age 50. The EPT measures cognitive performance on tasks with domains consistent with IADLs (telephone use, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, health and finances). Although overall EPT scores and self-reported IADLs were significantly related (rs = 0.20; p < 0.05), additional analyses revealed that domain-specific EPT performance related to IADL reports within the same domain for shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, and financial management after accounting for other variables such as age, sex, and measures of cognitive ability including total EPT score. These findings suggest that domain-specific performance on cognitive everyday problem-solving tasks may add to the predictability of specific IADLs.

Highlights

Overall Everyday Problems Test (EPT) scores and self-reported IADLs were significantly related, additional analyses revealed that domain-specific EPT performance related to IADL reports within the same domain for shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, and financial management after accounting for other variables such as age, sex, and measures of cognitive ability including total EPT score
The current study attempts to illustrate a potential gain of utilizing a domain specific approach to the study of cognitive ability related to everyday problem solving and functional ability among middle-aged and older adults
The current study did find a significant correlation between everyday problem-solving and functional ability, findings suggest a potential relation between these variables within domains

Summary

Introduction

The current study attempts to illustrate a potential gain of utilizing a domain specific approach to the study of cognitive ability related to everyday problem solving and functional ability among middle-aged and older adults. Cognitive tasks refer to performance-based measures that are primarily intended to demonstrate the knowledge and thought processes required to successfully complete the task [1]. Some domains, such as fluid and crystallized abilities, have been examined utilizing different established measurement options and research suggests that there is considerable overlap in variance and predictive potential related to these measures commonly used as indicators of these cognitive abilities [2]. These cognitive ability concepts allow researchers to group tasks and measures that require similar mental processes for successful task completion. The current study attempts to demonstrate that these tasks are more complex and multifaceted than many other types of cognitive tasks and that there is potential benefit in adopting a more domain specific approach when analyzing performance on these types of tasks and linking this performance to other outcomes

Objectives

Results

Conclusion