Subjective cognitive decline among older U.S. military veterans: A 3-year, nationally representative, longitudinal study

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is an early risk marker for dementia. This study examined the 3-year incidence and predictors of SCD using the Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Functioning Scale-Revised in a national sample of 1858 U.S. military veterans aged ≥60. Clinically significant SCD occurred in 5.4% of veterans, with an average decline of 1.73 standard deviations. Lower perceived resilience-specifically lower endorsement of "I bounce back after hardship" (35.1% relative variance explained) and "Coping with stress can make me stronger" (33.8%)-chronic pain (18.7%) and sleep difficulties (12.4%) emerged as the strongest predictors of SCD. Interventions targeting these risk factors may help mitigate SCD in veterans.