Stress-related cognitive interference predicts cognitive function in old age.
Both subjective distress and cognitive interference have been proposed as mechanisms underlying the negative effects of stress on cognition. Studies of aging have shown that distress is associated with lower cognitive performance, but none have examined the effects of cognitive interference. One hundred eleven older adults (M-sub(age)=80) completed measures of working memory, processing speed, and episodic memory as well as self-report measures of subjective distress and cognitive interference. Cognitive interference was strongly associated with poorer performance on all 3 cognitive constructs, whereas distress was only modestly associated with lower working memory. The results suggest that cognitive process related to stress is an important predictor of cognitive function in advanced age.
Stawski
Robert S
RS
Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, NY 13244, USA. rsstawsk@syr.edu
Sliwinski
Martin J
MJ
Smyth
Joshua M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011939:Mental Recall; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009949:Orientation; D010153:Paired-Associate Learning; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D012307:Risk Factors