The Status and Associated Factors of Prospective Memory among Iranian Older Adults

Objective: The decline in prospective memory is one of the age-related changes that accounts for a significant portion of complaints among older adults. This study aimed to assess the status of prospective memory and identify the factors associated with it in older people. Method: In this cross-sectional study, 212 older adults (aged 60 and above) were selected from the residents of Chaldoran County in 2023 using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the Self-Rated Health (SRH) Scale, the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire for the Elderly (HEAL). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26, employing both descriptive and analytical statistical tests. Results: The mean age of participants was 71.73 ± 6.65 years, with 57.1% (121 individuals) being females. The mean score for prospective memory was 19.74 ± 6.35. Based on the scale cutoff point, 65.1% of participants had low prospective memory. Pearson's correlation test indicated that age (r= 0.56, p< 0.05), depression(r= 0.49, p< 0.05), self-perceived health status(r= -0.53, p< 0.05), and lifestyle (r= -0.52, p< 0.05) significantly correlated with weak prospective memory status. Furthermore, according to multiple linear regression, age(β = 0.34, p < 0.001), depression( β = 0.18, p ≤ 0.05), self-perceived health (β = -0. 305, p < 0.001), and lifestyle (β = -0.25, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of weak prospective memory status. Conclusion: According to this study, older, unemployed, depressed individuals and those with unhealthy lifestyles are prone to decreased prospective memory. These factors could be the basis for developing prospective memory-improving interventions in older adults.