Prevalence and Covariates of Subjective Forgetfulness in a Normal Population in the Netherlands

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudolf W. H. M. Ponds ◽  
Kees J. A. M. Commissaris ◽  
Jellemer Jolles
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Normal Population ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Age Range

In this study we examined the prevalence and covariates of forgetfulness in a large sample of almost 2,000 subjects in the age range twenty-four to eighty-six years. Nearly 40 percent of the participants considered themselves to be forgetful. There was a systematic increase in the prevalence of forgetfulness with age, from 29 percent in the young age group to 52 percent in the oldest age group. Forgetfulness was not considered to be a serious problem in terms of perceived hindrance and worry by most subjects, independent of their age. Age, depression, and subjective health (especially complaints about vitality) acted as covariates of forgetfulness. Gender and education had no effect on the prevalence of forgetfulness. The younger adults ascribed their forgetfulness more to potentially reversible and manageable memory-extrinsic causes such as tension and emotional problems, whereas the older adults mentioned less manageable and more or less irreversible memory-intrinsic causes such as aging more often.

scholarly journals The effects of social comparisons on subjective age and self-rated health

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Maayan Sayag ◽  
Gitit Kavé
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Older adults consistently report young subjective age and provide high ratings of their subjective health. The current research examined which social comparisons older adults make when they assess their subjective age and health, as well as the effects of experimentally manipulated social comparisons on these assessments. In Study 1, 146 participants (aged 60 and over) reported to whom they compared themselves when assessing their subjective age or health. In Study 2, 100 participants (aged 60 and over) reported their subjective age and health after receiving feedback that compared them to younger adults or to their peers. Study 1 shows that participants compared themselves primarily to their peer group. Yet, individuals who selected a younger comparison group when assessing subjective age reported a younger subjective age, better self-rated health and more positive expectations regarding ageing relative to those who selected their peers as a comparison group. No equivalent differences emerged in any of the measures when participants were divided by their selection of comparison group after providing their self-rated health ratings. In Study 2, feedback that emphasised the performance of younger people led to reports of younger subjective age relative to feedback that emphasised peer performance, with no equivalent difference for self-rated health. These findings help explain why older adults feel younger and healthier than they actually are. We suggest that older adults use social comparisons as a strategy that protects them from the negative effects of ageing on self-perception.

Age Differences in Computer Anxiety: The Role of Computer Experience, Gender and Education

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Dyck ◽  
Janan Al-Awar Smither
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Computer Anxiety ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Attitudes Toward Computers ◽  
Computer Experience ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Computer Confidence

Research in the area of computer anxiety has traditionally concentrated on the younger adult. In this study older adults (55 years and over) were compared to younger adults (30 years and under) on levels of computer anxiety and computer experience. Subjects completed a demographic and computer experience questionnaire, a computer anxiety scale, and a computer attitude scale. Findings indicated that older adults were less computer anxious (as measured by both scales), had more positive attitudes toward computers, and had more liking for computers than younger adults. Older adults also had less computer experience than younger adults. In contrast, however, older subjects indicated less computer confidence than younger subjects. Additionally, for both younger and older adults, higher levels of computer experience were associated with lower levels of computer anxiety, and a more positive attitude toward computers. No gender differences were found for computer anxiety or computer attitudes when computer experience was controlled.

scholarly journals Age differences in aperiodic neural activity measured with resting EEG

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Merkin ◽  
Sabrina Sghirripa ◽  
Lynton Graetz ◽  
Ashleigh E. Smith ◽  
Brenton Hordacre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Alpha Power ◽  
Eeg Signal ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Alpha Frequency ◽  
Age Range

AbstractPrevious research using electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) has shown that neural oscillatory activity within the alpha band (8-12 Hz) becomes slower and lower in amplitude with advanced age. However, most studies have focused on quantifying age-related differences in periodic oscillatory activity with little consideration of the influence of aperiodic activity on these measures. The aim of this study was to investigate age differences in aperiodic activity inherent in the resting EEG signal. We assessed aperiodic activity in 85 healthy younger adults (mean age: 22.2 years, SD: 3.9, age range: 18–35, 37 male) and 92 healthy older adults (mean age: 66.1 years, SD: 8.2, age range 50–86, 53 male) by fitting the 1/f-like background activity evident in EEG power spectra using the fitting oscillations & one over f (FOOOF) toolbox. Across the scalp, the aperiodic exponent and offset were smaller in older compared to younger participants, reflecting a flatter 1/f-like slope and a downward broadband shift in the power spectra with age. Before correcting for aperiodic activity, older adults showed slower peak alpha frequency and reduced peak alpha power relative to younger adults. After correcting for aperiodic activity, peak alpha frequency remained slower in older adults; however, peak alpha power no longer differed statistically between age groups. The large sample size utilized in this study, as well as the depth of analysis, provides further evidence that the aperiodic component of the resting EEG signal is altered with aging and should be considered when investigating neural oscillatory activity.

scholarly journals Age Group Differences in Response to Repeated Exposure to Laboratory Stress Tasks

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 772-772
Author(s):  
James Miller ◽  
Gloria Luong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Repeated Exposure ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Affective Experiences ◽  
Affect Reactivity ◽  
And Task

Abstract Research examining age differences in affect reactivity (i.e. how much affective experiences change in response to stressors) has produced mixed results, suggesting that there are areas of relative strength and weakness in regulatory processes across age-groups. The present study’s goals were to examine potential age-group differences in affect reactivity and subjective task-appraisals across repeated exposures to a psychosocial laboratory stressor. In the Health and Daily Experiences (HEADE) study, younger (18-35 years old; n=107) and older adults (60-90 years old; n=90) were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test on three occasions in a laboratory setting over a five-day period. Current affective experiences and task-appraisals were assessed at each session using validated self-report scales, with current affective experiences measured at baseline and task periods to determine affect reactivity. Repeated measures ANOVA analyses were conducted to examine age-group differences in affect reactivity and task-appraisals across sessions. In support of our hypotheses, younger adults showed greater reductions in their negative affect reactivity over time compared to older adults [F(2, 390)= 8.18, p<.001]. Additionally, younger adults’ appraisals of task-difficulty decreased [F(2, 384)= 14.79, p<.001] and appraisals of task-performance increased [F(2,384)= 13.39, p<.001] across sessions, while older adults’ task-appraisals remained stable. Age-group differences in negative affect reactivity and task-difficulty appraisals were not evident for the first session and only emerged after repeated exposure to the stressors. These results highlight the importance of identifying age-related vulnerabilities in adapting to repeated stressors, with implications for designing effective interventions aimed at improving health and well-being for older adults.

scholarly journals Clinical Characteristics of Hospitalized Individuals Dying With COVID-19 by Age Group in Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1796-1800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Palmieri ◽  
Nicola Vanacore ◽  
Chiara Donfrancesco ◽  
Cinzia Lo Noce ◽  
Marco Canevelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Renal Failure ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Clinical Phenotype ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Respiratory Complications ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Respiratory Conditions ◽  
Extract Information

Abstract Background Aim of the present study is to describe characteristics of COVID-19-related deaths and to compare the clinical phenotype and course of COVID-19-related deaths occurring in adults (<65 years) and older adults (≥65 years). Method Medical charts of 3,032 patients dying with COVID-19 in Italy (368 aged < 65 years and 2,664 aged ≥65 years) were revised to extract information on demographics, preexisting comorbidities, and in-hospital complications leading to death. Results Older adults (≥65 years) presented with a higher number of comorbidities compared to those aged <65 years (3.3 ± 1.9 vs 2.5 ± 1.8, p < .001). Prevalence of ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, dementia, COPD, and chronic renal failure was higher in older patients (≥65 years), while obesity, chronic liver disease, and HIV infection were more common in younger adults (<65 years); 10.9% of younger patients (<65 years) had no comorbidities, compared to 3.2% of older patients (≥65 years). The younger adults had a higher rate of non-respiratory complications than older patients, including acute renal failure (30.0% vs 20.6%), acute cardiac injury (13.5% vs 10.3%), and superinfections (30.9% vs 9.8%). Conclusions Individuals dying with COVID-19 present with high levels of comorbidities, irrespective of age group, but a small proportion of deaths occur in healthy adults with no preexisting conditions. Non-respiratory complications are common, suggesting that the treatment of respiratory conditions needs to be combined with strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of non-respiratory complications.

scholarly journals Worry and Depression in the Old and Young: Differences and Mediating Factors

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Armstrong ◽  
Viviana M. Wuthrich ◽  
Ashleigh Knight ◽  
Richard Joiner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Negative Thinking ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Age Range

Objective: This study examined whether differences in habitual negative self-thinking and coping strategies might contribute to the age differences in worry and depression. Method: 60 undergraduate students (age range: 18–24 years, M = 19.10, SD = 1.3) and 45 community-dwelling older adults (age range: 60–89 years, M = 73.5, SD = 7.5) participated. Participants completed self-report measures of worry, depression, negative self-thinking, and coping styles. Results: We replicated previous findings that older adults were less worried and less depressed than younger adults. Older adults also reported engaging in less habitual negative thinking and using more problem solving as a coping strategy than younger adults. Furthermore, negative self-thinking and problem-solving skills were found to partially mediate age differences in worry and fully mediate depression scores. Conclusions: These results suggest that habitual negative thinking and problem-solving skills play a role in explaining the lower rates of worry and depression in older populations.

Age Differences in what is Viewed and Remembered in Complex Conjunction Search

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 946-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrick C. Williams ◽  
Rose T. Zacks ◽  
John M. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Visual Recognition ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Tracking Data ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Fixation Durations ◽  
Search Patterns ◽  
Similar Search ◽  
Target Memory

Older and younger adults searched arrays of 12 unique real-world photographs for a specified object (e.g., a yellow drill) among distractors (e.g., yellow telephone, red drill, and green door). Eye-tracking data from 24 of 48 participants in each age group showed generally similar search patterns for the younger and older adults but there were some interesting differences. Older adults processed all the items in the arrays more slowly than the younger adults (e.g., they had longer fixation durations, gaze durations, and total times), but this difference was exaggerated for target items. We also found that older and younger adults differed in the sequence in which objects were searched, with younger adults fixating the target objects earlier in the trial than older adults. Despite the relatively longer fixation times on the targets (in comparison to the distractors) for older adults, a surprise visual recognition test revealed a sizeable age deficit for target memory but, importantly, no age differences for distractor memory.

scholarly journals Web-Based Assessment of the Phenomenology of Autobiographical Memories in Young and Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 660
Author(s):  
Manila Vannucci ◽  
Carlo Chiorri ◽  
Laura Favilli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Assessment Methodology ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Memory Accuracy ◽  
Practical Usefulness

Autobiographical memories (ABMs) produce rich phenomenological experiences. Although few standardized and comprehensive measures of the phenomenology of ABMs have been developed, a web-based assessment of the full range of phenomenological properties is still missing. In the present study, we aimed to fill this gap and tested the psychometric properties of a web-based version of the Assessment of the Phenomenology of Autobiographical Memory (APAM) in a group of young and older adults. Specifically, taking advantage of the flexibility of web-based assessment methodology, we tested the rating consistency of APAM items, asking participants to rate the phenomenology of their ABMs with respect to seven cues, administered in one per day in seven different days. In each session, we also collected ratings of mood and arousal. Using linear mixed modeling (LMM), we could examine whether the phenomenology ratings differed with respect to age group while controlling for sex, age of the memory, arousal, mood, and specificity of the memory. Results revealed an adequate level of consistency of ratings in both young and older adults. Moreover, LMMs revealed a more intense experience of recollection and reliving (i.e., sensory and emotional) and a higher confidence in memory accuracy in older compared to younger adults. The theoretical and practical usefulness of a web-based assessment of the phenomenology of ABMs are discussed.

scholarly journals Age Differences in Elder Abuse Harm and Effective Services Offered by Adult Protective Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 669-670
Author(s):  
Pi-Ju Liu ◽  
Zachary Hass ◽  
Karen Conrad ◽  
Sara Stratton ◽  
Kendon Conrad
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Protective Services ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Adult Protective Services ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Type Of Abuse

Abstract In this study, abuse, exploitation, and neglect (ANE) harm was measured by type of abuse using standardized items from the Identification, Services, and Outcomes (ISO) Matrix before Adult Protective Services (APS) interventions (pretest) and after APS interventions (posttest). Change scores from 1,472 older adults (average age 78-year-old; 57% female) and 591 younger adults (average age 53-year-old; 46% female) served by APS during the six months showed reduction of harm using posttest minus pretest. Nonetheless, older adult’s financial abuse harm (pretest=2.2, posttest=1.5) was higher than younger adults’ (pretest=1.5, posttest=1.2), while young adults scored higher in harm on all other types of abuse. Effective interventions differ by age group and by type of abuse, and will be discussed in detail. Results demonstrate the importance to consider vulnerable adult’s age and the etiology of abuse before implementing the services needed to effectively address ANE harm.

The Effect of Delay Duration on Delay Discounting across Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby Leverett ◽  
Christopher Garza ◽  
Kendra Leigh Seaman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Delay Discounting ◽  
Time Delays ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Delay Duration ◽  
Age Range ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Continuous Predictor ◽  
Healthy Participants

Literature has been mixed about the relationship between age and delay discounting, or the willingness to wait for delayed rewards. We posit that some of this heterogeneity may be attributable to inconsistent delay durations across studies. Here we investigate how delay duration influences discounting across adulthood by systematically varying the duration of the delay between the smaller, sooner and the larger, later option. 288 healthy participants (Age range: 25-84 years) completed an online delay-discounting task that probed 12 different time delays across 3 discount rates. Discounting was analyzed in two statistical models that treated delay duration as either a categorical or a continuous predictor. Longer delays were generally associated with decreased discounting. However, this was dependent on both age of the participant and delay duration. Both models revealed that, at short to moderate time delays, older adults discounted less than younger adults. However, at very long delays (10 years), older adults discounted more than younger adults. The future time horizons of the participants significantly did not significantly impacted discounting. Results suggest older adults may discount more than younger adults only for extremely long delays (i.e: ~10 years). If this result is replicable, future research could investigate why this reversal in discounting exists and where the inflection point lies.

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