Individual and dyadic correlates of emotion perception performance in older couples

Research has widely documented age differences among adults in the ability to identify facial emotion expressions from pictures. In the current study, we examine how emotion perception ability is related to cognitive abilities, empathy, and relationship satisfaction. We use data from 151 older couples (M age = 72.6 years, age range: 65–86 years) collected in Switzerland and Southern Germany in 2018 and 2019. Participants were assessed on their abilities to perceive emotion from (dynamic) pictures of faces and on the abilities of fluid and crystallized intelligence, processing speed, and memory. Self-report measures assessed affective and cognitive empathy and relationship satisfaction. Additionally, empathic accuracy was assessed through the comparison of individual and partner positive/negative affect ratings obtained through momentary assessments conducted six times a day for 14 days. Associations between emotion perception and cognitive abilities were examined in a structural equation model. A model including separate latent factors for emotion perception, fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, processing speed, memory functioning and showed an acceptable model fit. Older participants scored lower than younger participants on all cognitive abilities except for crystallized intelligence. Covariances revealed that emotion perception ability is significantly related to all cognitive abilities within individuals. Emotion perception ability was not correlated between partners. There were no sex differences in emotion perception ability, and it was not significantly related to empathy (self-reported affective/cognitive empathy and empathic accuracy) or relationship satisfaction. Taken together, our findings suggest that cognitive ability is the closest correlate of emotion perception from images of facial expressions in older adults.