Well- and ill-defined measures of everyday cognition: Relationship to older adults' intellectual ability and functional status.

Abstract

The present study examined 2 approaches to the measurement of everyday cognition in older adults. Measures differing in the degree of structure offered for solving problems in the domains of medication use, financial management, and food preparation and nutrition were administered to a sample of 130 community-dwelling older adults ranging in age from 60 to 90 (M ϭ 73 years, SD ϭ 7.02 years). Well-defined and ill-defined everyday problem-solving measures, which varied in the amount of means-end-related information provided to participants, were used. The study found that (a) well-and ill-defined measures were moderately interrelated, (b) the 2 approaches were differentially related to basic cognitive abilities, and (c) together the 2 approaches explained over half of the variance in older adults' everyday instrumental functioning and were in fact better predictors of everyday functioning than traditional psychometric cognitive measures. Discussion focuses on the differential importance of both methods for assessing older adults' everyday cognitive functioning.Over the past 20 years, a growing focus of gerontological and psychological research has been on the examination of older adults' everyday cognitive functioning. The underlying motivation for this field of inquiry has been the concern that psychometric measures of cognition may not appropriately capture real-world cognitive functioning in older adults (

Effect of a structured course involving goal management training in older adults: A randomised controlled trial

“…It is important to investigate anxiety symptoms and mood, because these emotional states may influence or be influenced by cognitive complaints and subjective attitudes toward cognitive functioning. This is in line with a controlled intervention study that van Hooren et alindicated that an experimental neuropsychological intervention program significantly reduced mood-related complaints [22]. During the course, participants practised activities encountered in real life with emphasis on the complaints and problems experienced by the participants.…”

Cognitive Predictors of Everyday Functioning in Older Adults: Results From the ACTIVE Cognitive Intervention Trial

“…Memory predictors explain on average 1.9% of the variance in everyday functioning outcomes in the review of Royall and colleagues (2007), although the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT; Brandt & Benedict, 2001) explains considerably more variance than average (R 2 = .14). Allaire and Marsiske (2002) reported that a verbal declarative memory factor, composed of the sum of HVLT learning Trials 1, 2, and 3, is associated with everyday cognition (standardized effect size = 0.22). This factor was in turn significantly associated with self-rated everyday functioning in a sample of community-residing older adults.…”

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“…Problem solving originated from cognitive psychology, and research in this tradition has focused more on the outcomes of problem solving and the effectiveness of solutions generated (Reitman, 1965;Simon, 1973). In addition, studies from this orientation have tended to focus on more instrumental tasks (i.e., solutions involving manipulation of data or objects in the service of selfand home-maintenance goals) and have tended to be well structured (i.e., initial state, available means/information, and desired end state are all provided to the problem solver; e.g., Allaire & Marsiske, 2002).…”

“…A third possible area of added value is motivational; if everyday problems tasks seem relevant and familiar, they may encourage greater self-efficacy (e.g., Artistico et al, 2003) and willingness to agree to testing (Cornelius, 1984). Allaire and Marsiske (2002) investigated the first form of ''added value,'' examining whether several measures of everyday problem solving could predict everyday function (IADL and advanced IADLs) as well as, or better, than a traditional cognitive battery. Two measures, the Everyday Cognition Battery (ECB, a well-structured test of instrumental problem solving) and a solution fluency measure (for problems of food preparation, medication use, and financial management), explained more than 50% of the reliable variance in reported everyday function.…”

“…Artistico et al, 2003;Allaire & Marsiske, 2002;Denney & Pearce, 1989 Coping-style strategies: Participant-described solutions are coded for type (e.g., problem-focused, interpersonal/dependent, cognitive/analytic, avoidant). Berg et al, 1998;Blanchard-Fields et al, 1995 Decisional criteria: Parameters such as study time, number of pieces of information viewed and re-viewed, systematicity of information review, consistency of responding are recorded.…”