title: Subjective Cognitive Impairment and Affective Symptoms: A Systematic Review.
abstract: Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) has been argued to reflect affective symptoms (i.e., depression and anxiety) rather than actual cognitive issues. Although a number of studies exist that look at the associations between SCI and affective symptoms, no review is available to aggregate this disparate literature. We addressed this gap by conducting a systematic review to better understand the relationships among SCI and affective symptoms among older adults in both community and clinical settings.
  
  
  
  We reviewed available literature per the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Weight of evidence (WoE) ratings and narrative synthesis were completed for 58 articles.
  
  
  
  A majority of studies focused on community-based samples (n = 40). Approximately half (53%) of the articles reviewed met high WoE criteria for the current review. Cross-sectional findings consistently identified a positive relationship among SCI and affective symptoms. Findings from available longitudinal studies (n = 9) were mixed but suggested a possible reciprocal relationship among SCI and depression. The relationship between SCI and anxiety appeared to be driven by fears over loss of function. Following consultation with health professionals, the association between SCI and anxiety was diminished or eliminated.
  
  
  
  Although SCI is consistently related to affective symptoms in older adults cross-sectionally, more longitudinal work is needed to understand their temporal relationship. Improved measurement of SCI would support a deeper understanding of the impact of SCI on psychological well-being.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. nikki.hill@psu.edu.
authors.forename: Nikki L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mogle
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wion
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Munoz
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthy Aging and Department of Human Development & Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: DePasquale
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Yevchak
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Jeanine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Parisi
mesh_terms: D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living
keywords: Cognition; Depression; Memory