Positive affect predicts everyday problem-solving ability in older adults

Paterson, Theone; Yeung, Sophie E.; Thornton, Wendy Loken

doi:10.1080/13607863.2015.1043619

Cited by 23 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Cross-sectional studies suggest that positive affect was a more robust predictor of cognitive performance across a variety of tasks than depressed affect, somatic symptoms or interpersonal difficulties (La Rue et al 1995), that higher positive affect was related to better every day problem solving (Paterson et al 2016), and that higher positive affect was related to better verbal fluency performance (before Bonferroni adjustment), but not better memory, speed or attention (Baune et al 2007). Longitudinal findings by Turner et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal associations between late-life depression dimensions and cognitive functioning: a cross-domain latent growth curve analysis

Brăilean

Aartsen²,

Muñiz‐Terrera

et al. 2016

Psychol. Med.

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BackgroundCognitive impairment and depression often co-occur in older adults, but it is not clear whether depression is a risk factor for cognitive decline, a psychological reaction to cognitive decline, or whether changes in depressive symptoms correlate with changes in cognitive performance over time. The co-morbid manifestation of depression and cognitive impairment may reflect either a causal effect or a common cause, depending on the specific symptoms experienced and the cognitive functions affected.MethodThe study sample comprised 1506 community-dwelling older adults aged ⩾65 years from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). We conducted cross-domain latent growth curve analyses to examine longitudinal associations between late-life depression dimensions (i.e. depressed affect, positive affect, and somatic symptoms) and specific domains of cognitive functioning (i.e. processing speed, inductive reasoning, immediate recall, and delayed recall).ResultsPoorer delayed recall performance at baseline predicted a steeper increase in depressed affect over time. Steeper decline in processing speed correlated with a steeper increase in somatic symptoms of depression over time.ConclusionsOur findings suggest a prospective association between memory function and depressed affect, whereby older adults may experience an increase in depressed affect in reaction to poor memory function. Somatic symptoms of depression increased concurrently with declining processing speed, which may reflect common neurodegenerative processes. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that depression symptoms may be a risk factor for cognitive decline in the general population. These findings have potential implications for the treatment of late-life depression and for the prognosis of cognitive outcomes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal associations between late-life depression dimensions and cognitive functioning: a cross-domain latent growth curve analysis

Brăilean

Aartsen²,

Muñiz‐Terrera

et al. 2016

Psychol. Med.

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“…Cross-sectional studies conducted in non-clinical populations using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) ( Radloff, 1977 ) suggest that: lower levels of depressed affect and somatic symptoms were related to better performance on tasks assessing speed, attention and executive function, whereas higher levels of positive affect were related to poorer verbal fluency performance ( Baune et al, 2007 ); higher levels of positive affect (but not lower levels of depressed affect, somatic symptoms or interpersonal difficulties) were related to better everyday problem solving ( Paterson et al, 2015 ); positive affect was the most robust predictor of cognitive performance across a variety of tasks assessing memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, visual retention, temporal orientation, and global cognition ( La Rue et al, 1995 ). Studies using the Euro-D depression scale ( Prince et al, 1999 ) found that verbal fluency performance was more strongly associated with motivational symptoms of depression than with affective suffering symptoms (Brailean et al; Castro-Costa et al, 2007 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late-life depression symptom dimensions and cognitive functioning in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA)

Brăilean

Comijs

Aartsen³

et al. 2016

Journal of Affective Disorders

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BackgroundDepression often co-occurs in late-life in the context of declining cognitive functions, but it is not clear whether specific depression symptom dimensions are differentially associated with cognitive abilities.MethodsThe study sample comprised 3107 community-dwelling older adults from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). We applied a Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model to examine the association between cognitive abilities and latent dimensions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), while accounting for differential item functioning (DIF) due to age, gender and cognitive function levels.ResultsA factor structure consisting of somatic symptoms, positive affect, depressed affect, and interpersonal difficulties fitted the data well. Higher levels of inductive reasoning were significantly associated with lower levels of depressed affect and somatic symptoms, whereas faster processing speed was significantly associated with lower levels of somatic symptoms. DIF due to age and gender was found, but the magnitude of the effects was small and did not alter substantive conclusions.LimitationsDue to the cross-sectional context of this investigation, the direction of influence between depression symptom levels and cognitive function levels cannot be established. Furthermore, findings are relevant to non-clinical populations, and they do not clarify whether certain DIF effects may be found only at high or low levels of depression.ConclusionsOur findings suggest differential associations between late-life depression dimensions and cognitive abilities in old age, and point towards potential etiological mechanisms that may underline these associations. These findings carry implications for the prognosis of cognitive outcomes in depressed older adults.

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“…This may be the result of good social relationships. However, positive emotions seem to affect also the problem solving process thanks to increased creativity and better cognitive capabilities (Isen et al 1987;Isen 2001;Rego et al 2014;Paterson et al 2016;Yuan 2015). In turns, this can influence also the bargaining process and the resolution of conflicts (Forgas 1994;Baron et al 1990;Kanske and Kotz 2011;Morris and Keltner 2000).…”

Section: Employmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wellbeing and Society: Towards Quantification of the Co-benefits of Wellbeing

Maccagnan

Wren-Lewis²,

Brown³

et al. 2018

Soc Indic Res

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The objectives of this paper are twofold. First, it reviews the empirical evidence showing the existence of linkage between wellbeing and possible co-benefits, investigating in particular the positive effect that happiness and life satisfaction can have on health, social outcomes, employment, education and environmental behaviours. Second, it presents the valuation methods that have been proposed in the literature to place a monetary value on these outcomes. With wellbeing having become more and more relevant for individuals and policy makers, the full understanding of the co-benefits of wellbeing is central for the design and development of wellbeing interventions. As a consequence, the evaluation of the co-benefits of wellbeing is of crucial importance for the appropriate allocation of resources towards such strategies.

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Positive affect predicts everyday problem-solving ability in older adults

Abstract: Current results extend previous findings by showing that the relationship between increased depressive symptoms and decreased EPS ability in older age may be primarily driven by anhedonia as opposed to other depressive symptoms.

Cited by 23 publications

References 51 publications

Longitudinal associations between late-life depression dimensions and cognitive functioning: a cross-domain latent growth curve analysis

Longitudinal associations between late-life depression dimensions and cognitive functioning: a cross-domain latent growth curve analysis

Late-life depression symptom dimensions and cognitive functioning in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA)

Wellbeing and Society: Towards Quantification of the Co-benefits of Wellbeing

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