As the U.S. population ages, cognitive decline becomes a pressing concern. Around 30 percent of adults aged 70 and older face mild cognitive decline or dementia. A longitudinal study involving 1,702 adults over 65 assessed well-being and cognitive function over ten years. Results indicated that participants with higher well-being exhibited better cognitive abilities. Importantly, declines in well-being were matched by declines in cognitive performance. The analysis showed a significant relationship between well-being and cognition, highlighting the importance of psychological health in maintaining cognitive abilities as individuals age.
Participants who started out with higher levels of well-being also tended to have higher levels of cognitive function. When participants experienced declines in well-being, they showed similarly-sized declines in cognition.
The study analyzed data from 1,702 adults over the age of 65 who completed cognitive tests and surveys about their well-being every year for up to 10 years.
The cognitive tests assessed memory, processing speed, verbal ability, and spatial reasoning. The surveys assessed autonomy, personal growth, sense of purpose, and life satisfaction.
Researchers found that cognition and well-being are inherently related, with participants reporting higher levels of well-being also scoring better on cognitive tests.
Collection
[
|
...
]