There is growing interest in the link between self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and cognition in older adults. This study evaluates the relationship between SPA dimensions and objective cognition and its interaction with loneliness. A sample of 184 community-dwelling Spanish older adults aged 65 and above was recruited. The short form of the Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ-S) was used along with a neuropsychological battery and sociodemographic and health measures. The findings reveal links between negative consequences and processing speed; chronic time and inhibition; cyclical time and selective and alternating attention; and emotional representations and inhibition, selective attention, and working memory. SPA dimensions were found to moderate the relationship of loneliness on processing speed and selective attention. This study offers evidence of the differential link between SPA dimensions and cognition as well as their interaction with loneliness, which is valuable for designing intervention programs that promote cognitive health and active aging.
Alonso DebreczeniF.BaileyP. E. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of subjective age and the association with cognition, subjective well-being, and depression. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(3), 471–482. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa069
2.
BarkerM.O’HanlonA.McGeeH. M.HickeyA.ConroyR. M. (2007). Cross-sectional validation of the aging perceptions questionnaire: A multidimensional instrument for assessing self-perceptions of aging. BMC Geriatrics, 7(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-7-9
3.
BrownK. E.KimJ.StewartT.FultonE.McCarreyA. C. (2021). Positive, but not negative, self-perceptions of aging predict cognitive function among older adults. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 93(1), 543–561. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091415020917681
4.
BuntingM. (2006). Proactive interference and item similarity in working memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 32(2), 183–196. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-7393.32.2.183
5.
BurtonA. E.DeanS. E.DemeyinW.ReevesJ. (2021). Questionnaire measures of self-directed ageing stereotype in older adults: A systematic review of measurement properties. European Journal of Ageing, 18(1), 117–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-020-00574-7
6.
CherbuinN.SachdevP.AnsteyK. J. (2010). Neuropsychological predictors of transition from healthy cognitive aging to mild cognitive impairment: The PATH through life study. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(8), 723–733. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181cdecf1
7.
CostaS. L.Schwizer AshkenaziS.StroberL. B.ChiaravallotiN. D.VakilE.KlyceD.MillsA.DukarmP. (2021). The adapted symbol digit modalities test: Examining the impact of response modality. NeuroRehabilitation, 49(2), 215–220. https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-218021
DiehlM.WahlH.-W.BarrettA. E.BrothersA. F.MicheM.MontepareJ. M.WesterhofG. J.WurmS. (2014). Awareness of aging: Theoretical considerations on an emerging concept. Developmental Review, 34(2), 93–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2014.01.001
10.
Diez-QuevedoC.RangilT.Sanchez-PlanellL.KroenkeK.SpitzerR. L. (2001). Validation and utility of the patient health questionnaire in diagnosing mental disorders in 1003 general hospital Spanish inpatients. Psychosomatic Medicine, 63(4), 679–686. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-200107000-00021
11.
EbaidD.CrewtherS. G.MacCalmanK.BrownA.CrewtherD. P. (2017). Cognitive processing speed across the lifespan: Beyond the influence of motor speed. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, 62. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00062
12.
FaulF.ErdfelderE.BuchnerA.LangA.-G. (2009). Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods, 41(4), 1149–1160. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149
13.
Fernández-BallbéÓ.Martin-MoratinosM.SaizJ.Gallardo-PeraltaL.Barrón López de RodaA. (2023). The relationship between subjective aging and cognition in elderly people: A systematic review. Healthcare, 11(24), 3115. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11243115
14.
Fernández-BallbéÓ.SaizJ.Gallardo-PeraltaL.Barrón López de RodaA. (2024). Propiedades Psicométricas del Cuestionario de Percepciones sobre el Envejecimiento Versión Corta en Personas Mayores Españolas (Psychometric Properties of the Aging Perceptions Questionnaire Short Version in Spanish Oldfer Adults). Revista Iberoamericana de Diagnostico y Evaluacion Psicologica, 2(72), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.21865/RIDEP72.2.04
15.
Fernández-JiménezC.DumitracheC. G.RubioL.Ruiz-MonteroP. J. (2022). Self-perceptions of ageing and perceived health status: The mediating role of cognitive functioning and physical activity. Ageing and Society, 44(3), 622–641. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X22000332
16.
FerrandoP. J.ChicoTousJ. M. (2002). Propiedades psicométricas del test de optimismo Life Orientation Test. Psicothema, 14, 673-680.
17.
GoldenC. J. (2022). Stroop. Test de colores y palabras. TEA Ediciones.
18.
Gómez-GómezI.BenítezI.BellónJ.Moreno-PeralP.Oliván-BlázquezB.ClaveríaA.Zabaleta-del-OlmoE.LloberaJ.Serrano-RipollM. J.Tamayo-MoralesO.MotricoE. (2023). Utility of PHQ-2, PHQ-8 and PHQ-9 for detecting major depression in primary health care: A validation study in Spain. Psychological Medicine, 53(12), 5625–5635. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291722002835
19.
HagoodE. W.GruenewaldT. L. (2015). Negative self-perceptions of aging predict declines in memory performance over time. The Gerontologist, 55(Suppl_2), 745. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnv379.04
20.
Instituto Nacional de Estadística. (2014). Clasificación Nacional de Educación. Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
21.
Instituto Nacional de Estadística. (2021). Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares (EPF). Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
22.
JASP Team. (2024). Jasp. Jasp Project. [computer software].Version 0.18.3.
23.
KaneM. J.HasherL.StoltzfusE. R.ZacksR. T.ConnellyS. L. (1994). Inhibitory attentional mechanisms and aging. Psychology and Aging, 9(1), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.9.1.103
24.
LansbergenM.KenemansJ.van EngelandH. (2007). Stroop interference and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychology, 21(2), 251–262. https://doi.org/10.1037/0894-4105.21.2.251
25.
LaraE.Martín-MaríaN.De la Torre-LuqueA.KoyanagiA.VancampfortD.IzquierdoA.MiretM. (2019). Does loneliness contribute to mild cognitive impairment and dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Ageing Research Reviews, 52, 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2019.03.002
26.
LeventhalH. (1982). The integration of emotion and cognition: A view from the perceptual-motor theory of emotion 1. En affect and cognition. Psychology Press.
LevyB. R.FerrucciL.ZondermanA. B.SladeM. D.TroncosoJ.ResnickS. M. (2016). A culture–brain link: Negative age stereotypes predict Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. Psychology and Aging, 31(1), 82–88. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000062
29.
LevyB. R.ZondermanA. B.SladeM. D.FerrucciL. (2012). Memory shaped by age stereotypes over time. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 67(4), 432–436. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbr120
30.
Losada-BaltarA.Martínez-HuertasJ. Á.Jiménez-GonzaloL.Pedroso-ChaparroM.Gallego-AlbertoL.Fernandes-PiresJ.Márquez-GonzálezM.Márquez-GonzálezM. (2021). Longitudinal correlates of loneliness and psychological distress during the lockdown situation due to COVID-19. Effects of age and self-perceptions of aging. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 77(4), 652–660. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbab012
31.
Lucas-CarrascoR. (2012). Reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the world health organization-five well-being index in elderly: Validity of the Spanish WHO-5 in elderly. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 66(6), 508–513. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1819.2012.02387.x
32.
McGarrigleC. A.WardM.KennyR. A. (2022). Negative aging perceptions and cognitive and functional decline: Are you as old as you feel?Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 70(3), 777–788. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17561
33.
Morales OrtizM.FernándezA. (2020). Assessment of cognitively stimulating activity in a Spanish population. Assessment, 27(6), 1310–1319. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191118774620
34.
PaggiM.JoppD.SchmittM. (2011). The cognitive effects of aging self-stereotypes in older and middle-aged adults.
35.
Pedroso-ChaparroM. D. S.Márquez-GonzálezM.Fernandes-PiresJ.-A.Gallego-AlbertoL.Jiménez-GonzaloL.NuevoR.LosadaA. (2022). Validation of the Spanish version of the three-item loneliness scale. Studies in Psychology, 43(2), 311–331. https://doi.org/10.1080/02109395.2021.1989889
36.
RobertsonD. A.KennyR. A. (2016). “I’m too old for that”—the association between negative perceptions of aging and disengagement in later life. Personality and Individual Differences, 100, 114–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.096
37.
RobertsonD. A.King-KallimanisB. L.KennyR. A. (2016). Negative perceptions of aging predict longitudinal decline in cognitive function. Psychology and Aging, 31(1), 71–81. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000061
38.
SabatiniS.UkoumunneO. C.BallardC.CollinsR.AnsteyK. J.DiehlM.BrothersA.WahlH.-W.CorbettA.HampshireA.BrookerH.ClareL. (2021). Cross-sectional association between objective cognitive performance and perceived age-related gains and losses in cognition. International Psychogeriatrics, 33(7), 727–741. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610221000375
Sargent-CoxK. A.AnsteyK. J.LuszczM. A. (2014). Longitudinal change of self-perceptions of aging and mortality. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 69(2), 168–173. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbt005
41.
SeidlerA. L.WolffJ. K. (2017). Bidirectional associations between self-perceptions of aging and processing speed across 3 years. GeroPsych, 30(2), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000165
42.
SextonE.King-KallimanisB. L.MorganK.McGeeH. (2014). Development of the brief ageing perceptions questionnaire (B-APQ): A confirmatory factor analysis approach to item reduction. BMC Geriatrics, 14(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-14-44
43.
SlotmanA.CrammJ. M.NieboerA. P. (2017). Validation of the aging perceptions questionnaire short on a sample of community-dwelling Turkish elderly migrants. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 15(1), 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-017-0619-7
44.
SmithA. (1973). Symbol digit modalities test. Manual. Western Psychological Services.
45.
SongR.FanX.SeoJ. (2023). Physical and cognitive function to explain the quality of life among older adults with cognitive impairment: Exploring cognitive function as a mediator. BMC Psychology, 11(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01087-5
46.
StephanY.SutinA. R.LuchettiM.AschwandenD.TerraccianoA. (2023). The mediating role of biomarkers in the association between subjective aging and episodic memory. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 78(2), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbac155
47.
TrucharteA.CalderónL.CerezoE.ContrerasA.PeinadoV.ValienteC. (2021). Three-item loneliness scale: Psychometric properties and normative data of the Spanish version. Current Psychology, 42(9), 7466–7474. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02110-x
48.
VelaithanV.TanM.-M.YuT.-F.LiemA.TehP.-L.SuT. T. (2023). The association of self-perception of ageing and quality of life in older adults: A systematic review. The Gerontologist, 64(4), gnad041. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad041
49.
WareJ.KosinskiM.KellerS. D. (1996). A 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey: Construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity. Medical Care, 34(3), 220–233. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-199603000-00003
50.
WechslerD. (2008). WAIS-IV, Escala de inteligencia de Wechsler para adultos-IV. Pearson Clinical.
51.
WolffJ. K.SchüzB.ZiegelmannJ. P.WarnerL. M.WurmS. (2017). Short-term buffers, but long-term suffers? Differential effects of negative self-perceptions of aging following serious health events. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 72(3), 408–414. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbv058
WurmS.Tesch-RömerC.TomasikM. J. (2007). Longitudinal findings on aging-related cognitions, control beliefs, and health in later life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 62(3), P156–P164. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/62.3.P156
54.
YinJ.LassaleC.SteptoeA.CadarD. (2019). Exploring the bidirectional associations between loneliness and cognitive functioning over 10 years: The English longitudinal study of ageing. International Journal of Epidemiology, 48(6), 1937–1948. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyz085
55.
ZunzuneguiM.-V.AlvaradoB. E.Del SerT.OteroA. (2003). Social networks, social integration, and social engagement determine cognitive decline in community-dwelling Spanish older adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 58(2), S93–S100. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/58.2.S93
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
