The Relationship Between Aging Perceptions and Cognition Among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the ENACT and EFIT Studies

Maintaining cognition is critical to overall health and independence. While lifestyle predictors (e.g., cognitive engagement, social engagement, physical activity) of cognition have been established in current research, the relationship of one’s perceptions of aging and cognition have been less thoroughly investigated. This thesis cross-sectionally explores the relationships between self-perceptions of aging (SPA; including awareness of age-related change and expectations regarding aging) and cognition, including performance-based measures of executive function (Matrix Reasoning, Letter/Number Switching, Digit Symbol, Trails A & B, Visual Paired Associates) and self-reported cognition (Cognitive Self Report Questionnaire). Participants include community dwelling older adults from two studies: the Elucidating the Necessary Active Components of Training (ENACT; NCT05366023) study and the Everyday Function Intervention Trial (E-FIT; NCT04651582). A series of four multivariate linear regressions was conducted, one for each facet of SPA and each measured facet of cognition. Results found that neither awareness of age-related change nor expectations regarding aging predicted performance-based executive functioning. However, both awareness of age-related change and expectations regarding aging predicted self-reported cognition. This finding holds value given the utility of self-reported cognition for predicting future cognitive performance and well-being. This demonstrates the urgency of combating negative age-related expectations and for the well-being of older adults.