The Relationship of Stressful Life Events to Intellectual Functioning in Women Over 65

Abstract

The relationship of stressful life events to decline in intellectual abilities in 112 women aged 65–92 was assessed. A ratio of crystal/fluid abilities was used to estimate decline. The Vocabulary and Comprehension subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) were used to assess crystalized abilities, and the Block Design and Object Assembly subtests of the WAIS were used to assess fluid abilities. The Holmes and Rahe Schedule of Recent Events (SRE) was used as a measure of stress along with a method for quantifying individual estimates of stress experience. In addition, the relationship of subsets of actual events experienced to intellectual functioning was analyzed. Stress was found to be related to the ratio used to estimate decline. Changes in personal health and changes in health of a family member were positively related and vacations were negatively related to decline in intellectual functioning.