Research investigating how subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) might reliably indicate impairments in objective cognitive functioning has produced highly varied findings, and despite attempts to synthesise this literature (e.g., Jonker et al. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 983-991, 2000; Reid and MacLullich Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 22(5-6), 471-485, 2006; Crumley et al. Psychology and Aging, 29(2), 250-263, 2014), recent work continues to offer little resolution. This review provides both quantitative and qualitative synthesis of research conducted since the last comprehensive review in 2006, with the aim of identifying reasons for these discrepancies that might provide fruitful avenues for future exploration. Meta-analysis found a small but significant association between SCCs and objective cognitive function, although it was limited by large heterogeneity between studies and evidence of potential publication bias. Often, assessments of SCCs and objective cognitive function were brief or not formally validated. However, studies that employed more comprehensive SCC measures tended to find that SCCs were associated independently with both objective cognitive function and depressive symptoms. Further explicit investigation of how assessment measures relate to reports of SCCs, and the validity of the proposed 'compensation theory' of SCC aetiology, is recommended.

Generally low levels of HA among this cohort of older individuals challenged the pervasive stereotype of the "hypochondriacal" older person. Factors contributing to HA were similar to those reported in studies with younger cohorts. Findings provided preliminary support for the applicability of the cognitive behavioral model of HA to adults over 65. Implications of the findings and directions for future research were discussed.

Implications for clinical assessment of SMCs are that open-ended questioning might be preferable to initial use of prescriptive questionnaires, in order to elicit SMCs that are most distressing. While use of questionnaires may reveal endorsement of a wider range of SMCs than are spontaneously reported, they can take focus away from, or even fail to assess, those SMCs which cause most subjective distress (and therefore should be the target of interventions).

A two-factor model of the HADS was favored due to the lack of differentiation between factors on the three-factor model, and the higher clinical utility of a two-factor solution. The validity of the HADS may be limited by over-diagnosing anxiety in non-clinical populations. It is recommended that the HADS be used to measure change over time through treatment and not be used as a diagnostic tool until future research establishes appropriate norms and cut-offs.

Abstract. Evidence regarding the relationship between subjective memory complaints (SMCs) and objective memory functioning remains mixed; assessment methods may underlie this inconsistency. In this study, 94 participants aged 40 and above completed two measures of SMCs (open-ended self-reports, and a questionnaire) and memory tests (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Rey Complex Figure Test). Canonical correlation analysis showed no significant associations between any measures of memory and SMCs, regardless of the assessment method employed. Possible explanations for this result and the influence of study limitations are discussed.