The moderating role of negative affect on objective verbal memory performance and subjective memory complaints in healthy older adults

Abstract

Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are part of the diagnostic criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), yet little is known about their etiology. In some previous studies, no direct relation has been found between SMCs and objective memory performance, yet significant correlations have been identified between SMCs and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety. In the current study, we examined whether negative affect moderated the relation between objective memory functioning and SMCs in a sample of healthy, non-demented participants aged 65 and older. As predicted, several negative affect measures moderated the relationship between objective cognitive functioning and SMCs. In the absence of objective memory impairment as indexed by the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Dementia Rating Scale-2nd Edition (DRS-2), higher levels of negative affect were associated with increased levels of SMCs. Moreover, a lower order negative affect factor, anxiety sensitivity, significantly moderated the relation between objective memory functioning and SMCs, after controlling for higher order measures of general negative affectivity. Findings suggest that negative affect, particularly anxiety sensitivity, distorts the subjective appraisal of one's own memory, such that people high on negative affect factors report more episodes of forgetting, even in the absence of objective cognitive impairments. (JINS, 2008, 14, 327-336.)

Subjective Memory Complaints are Involved in the Relationship between Mood and Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…Again, this is in line with the previous literature (Balash et al, 2013;Caselli et al, 2013;Dux et al, 2008;Minett et al, 2008;Schmand, Jonker, Geerlings, & Lindeboom, 1997) and suggests that SMC and symptoms of anxiety or depression are related.…”

“…This suggests that anxious or depressive symptomology could influence how an individual appraises their memory or cognitive abilities, a possibility that has also been considered by other researchers (Dux et al, 2008;Jorm et al, 1997;Roberts et al, 2009).…”

“…Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are reports of problems with, or changes in, memory and are common in older people (Balash et al, 2013;Dux et al, 2008). Assessments of SMC range from brief questions concerning individuals' perceived memory function or how memory changes may have affected activities of daily living (ADL) (Cook & Marsiske, 2006) to more in-depth questionnaires, such as the Memory Functioning Questionnaire (Gilewski, Zelinski, & Schaie, 1990) or the Metamemory in Adulthood Questionnaire (Dixon, Hultsch, & Hertzog, 1988).…”

“…SMC without objective impairment may be a manifestation of depressive symptoms (Balash et al, 2013). An increase in anxiety has also been associated with an increase in SMC despite no decrease in objective memory performance (Dux et al, 2008). Anxiety was found to be higher in individuals with SMC who have lower Mini Mental State Examination scores (MMSE) (Balash et al, 2013;Folstein, Folstein, & McHugh, 1975).…”

A meta-analysis of the longitudinal relationship between adolescent depression and academic achievement.

“…In addition, negative affect, a hallmark symptom of depression, is negatively correlated with concentration and performance on memory-related tasks (Dux, et al, 2008) and cognitive tasks (Kaslow, Rehm, & Siegel, 1984). As poor concentration, memory problems, and low performance on cognitive tasks are associated with low academic achievement (Dux et al, 2008), it seems obvious that depression and academic achievement are negatively associated.…”