Locus of control as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive function in midlife

Abstract

Few modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline have been identified. Despite an external locus of control (LoC) being adversely associated with many psychological and physical health outcomes, few studies have examined whether it is related to cognitive function in adulthood. In 1178 women from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we examined whether LoC, and change in LoC over time, is associated with cognitive function in midlife. LoC was prospectively measured at mean ages 30 and 48 years using the validated Nowicki-Strickland scale. Cognitive function was examined at mean age 51 years. At both time points, greater externality was associated with lower cognitive function. For example, the group of women classified as being external at mean age 48 years had, on average, a 0.18 lower cognitive function score (95% CI: (0.11 to 0.25) than the group classified as being internal (p<0.001). Participants who changed from external to internal over time, on average, had better cognitive function than those who remained external or changed to become external. In summary, an external LoC may be detrimental to cognitive function. Thus, interventions to increase internality may help to minimise the adverse consequences on cognitive health later in life.

Locus of Control and Cognition in Older Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

“…Incidence rates for type 1 diabetes are higher for males between the ages of 15 to 39 but approximately equal in childhood and later life, 29,30 and it's possible the age of diagnosis for type 1 diabetes may have differential effects on health behaviors that modify the relationship between locus of control. However, though previous work has found similar inverse relationships between external locus of control and cognition in men and women, 11,12 these results were found in separate cohorts of different ages and additionally may differ from the individuals examined in later life with type 1 diabetes in our sample.…”

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to highlight sex differences in the relationship between diabetes-related locus of control and cognitive function in older adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Locus of control serves as a potential intervenable characteristic as it has been shown to vary over short periods of time, such as from one week to the next, 12,19,32 and intervention studies have found both associations between locus of control and cognition as well as an intervention study examining locus of control and cognition in non-diabetic populations also found that some racial disparities persisting after memory and reasoning training are attributable to locus of control. 33,34 The findings of this study further suggest that modifications to diabetes locus of control may potentially affect cognitive function in later life, but that underlying differences are present among men and women even after adjusting for potentially confounding factors such as age at diabetes diagnosis.…”

“…Health locus of control has previously been shown to be associated with cognition in otherwise healthy populations, with an inverse relationship between cognitive function and more external locus of control found in a sample of community dwelling older men in the US 11 and findings that changing from external to internal locus of control in midlife for women was more beneficial for cognition than remaining external or changing to become external. 12 Locus of control has also been found to be associated with amygdala functional connectivity in a small sample of cognitively healthy controls, suggesting a possible role of locus of control in cognitive aging. 13 However, little is known about how disease-specific locus of control in populations with conditions requiring high levels of care and attention, such as diabetes, may affect cognition.…”

Health Locus of Control and Neurocognitive Function in Latinx and Non-Latinx White People Living With HIV: A Cross-sectional Study

“…To our knowledge, no other studies to date have reported significant associations between internal HLOC and neurocognition among PLWH. However, some studies evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive training among older adults indicate significant improvements in internal LOC for several cognitive domains (i.e., reasoning, processing speed; Anderson et al, 2018; Wolinsky et al, 2010). Thus, further research is warranted to better understand the relationship between internal HLOC and neurocognition.…”

Are clinical trials randomising households to lifestyle interventions to delay cognitive decline feasible? A pilot study to determine the beliefs, preferences, and deterrents for households impacted by dementia based on semi-structured interviews

“…Apart from cognitive and physical health benefits for the participants, targeting a household may improve feasibility and long-term sustained change in lifestyle, by changing the culture within the home. Given the prevalence of dementia, any strategy shown to benefit overall brain health is of use, and if individuals feel they are taking control to prevent further cognitive deterioration this may be, in itself, of benefit [ 20 ]. All members of households affected by dementia may, therefore, benefit from targeted lifestyle interventions.…”