Free Recall Episodic Memory Performance Predicts Dementia Ten Years prior to Clinical Diagnosis: Findings from the Betula Longitudinal Study

The Enduring Effects of Mother-Child Interactions on Episodic Memory in Adulthood

OBJECTIVE

To examine the enduring effects of retrospective reports of early life mother-child interactions on psychosocial and cognitive functioning later in life.

BACKGROUND

Mother-child interactions have been linked to cognitive outcomes in childhood, however, little work has examined whether early life mother-child interactions have far-reaching effects on episodic memory in adulthood. Early life mother-child interactions may also influence cognitive functioning in adulthood indirectly through the development of academic competence (education attainment), social competence (marital satisfaction, social support, contact frequency), and/or depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Using longitudinal data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study sibling respondents (1993-2011; baseline: 29-79 years), we examined how retrospective positive mother-child interactions (PMCI) and negative mother-child interactions (NMCI) were independently associated with episodic memory. Structural equation modeling was used to model direct and indirect pathways from PMCI and NMCI to episodic memory and latent change in episodic memory.

RESULTS

More PMCI retrospectively reported at T1 were associated with higher T2 memory and less memory decline from T2 to T3 via higher education. Additionally, more PMCI were associated with higher T2 memory through greater marital satisfaction. Independent of these indirect effects, more PMCI and NMCI were each associated with higher T2 memory, but not memory change.

CONCLUSION

Mother-child interactions appeared to have an enduring effect on episodic memory in adulthood. These findings highlight the importance of taking a more integrative and lifespan perspective to assess how early life experiences affect socioemotional and cognitive development.