Affiliation:
1. University Research Priority Program “Dynamics of Healthy Aging,” University of Zurich, Switzerland
2. Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
An engaged lifestyle has been linked to measures of functional ability in everyday life. However, the underlying mechanism of this link is still understudied. We propose working memory as a potential mediator of this relation.
Methods
Modeling data of 158 older adults with a latent-variables approach, we examined whether working memory mediated the relation between an engaged lifestyle, that is, intellectual, social, and physical activities, and functional ability, that is, self-reported everyday failures and test-based everyday performance.
Results
Working memory was found to fully mediate the relation between gaming activities and test-based everyday performance. Furthermore, we found a negative association between sports activities and self-reported everyday failures not mediated through working memory, indicating that individuals who reported high levels of sports activities reported fewer everyday cognitive failures. All other lifestyle activities were, however, neither directly nor indirectly associated with functional ability.
Discussion
Working memory is one pathway by which gaming activities are related to test-based measures of functional ability in everyday life. Given the overlapping cognitive demands of working memory, gaming activities, and the test-based measure of functional ability, the findings suggest that while an engaged lifestyle can benefit functional ability, those benefits may be limited to highly similar domains.
Funder
Suzanne and Hans Biäsch Foundation for Applied Psychology
Forschungskredit of the University of Zurich
URPP “Dynamics of Healthy Aging”
University of Zurich
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Geriatrics and Gerontology,Gerontology,Clinical Psychology,Social Psychology
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