Interrelations of age, self-reported health, speed, and memory.
Contributions of self-reported health to adult age differences in perceptual speed and memory were assessed for 301 adults ages 20-90. Participants were asked 4 health status questions, given 3 perceptual speed tests, 2 working memory tests, and 2 memory tests. Self-reported health was found to predict speed better than it predicted memory. Covariance structural equation modeling was used to assess the relations among age, self-reported health, perceptual speed, working memory, and memory. The results support the hypothesis that any effects of self-reported health on age differences in memory are mediated by perceptual speed.
Earles
J L
JL
Psychology Department, Furman University, South Carolina 29613-0470, USA. julie.earles@furman.edu
Connor
L T
LT
Smith
A D
AD
Park
D C
DC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis