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Ascone L, Mascherek A, Weber S, Fischer D, Augustin J, Cheng B, Thomalla G, Augustin M, Zyriax BC, Gallinat J, Kühn S. Subjective evaluation of home environment and levels of self-reported depression in middle to old age: Results from the HCHS study. J Clin Psychol 2024; 80:1115-1129. [PMID: 38329994 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The immediate living environment might, like other lifestyle factors, be significantly related to mental well-being. The current study addresses the question whether five relevant subjective home environment variables (i.e., protection from disturbing nightlight, daylight entering the home, safety at home, quality of window views, and noise disturbance) are associated with levels of self-reported depression over and above well-known sociodemographic and common lifestyle variables. METHODS Data from the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS) were analyzed. In N = 8757 with available PHQ-9 depression data, multiple linear regression models were computed, with demographic data, lifestyle variables, and variables describing the subjective evaluation of the home environment. RESULTS The model explained 15% of variance in depression levels, with ratings for the subjective evaluation of home environment accounting for 6%. Better protection from disturbing light at night, more daylight entering the home, feeling safer, and perceived quality of the window views, were all significantly associated with lower, while more annoyance by noise was associated with higher levels of self-reported depression. Results did not differ if examining a sample of the youngest (middle-aged participants: 46-50 years) versus oldest (70-78 years) participants within HCHS. CONCLUSION Beyond studying the role of lifestyle factors related to self-reported depression, people's homes may be important for subclinical levels of depression in middle and older age, albeit the direction of effects or causality cannot be inferred from the present study. The development of a consensus and tools for a standardized home environment assessment is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Ascone
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Mascherek
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Weber
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Djo Fischer
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jobst Augustin
- Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bastian Cheng
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Götz Thomalla
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Augustin
- Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birgit-Christiane Zyriax
- Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Hamburg, Germany
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Weber S, Mascherek A, Augustin J, Cheng B, Thomalla G, Hoven H, Harth V, Augustin M, Gallinat J, Kühn S. My home-my castle? Self-reported anxiety varies in relation to the subjective evaluation of home environment. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1267900. [PMID: 38268813 PMCID: PMC10806144 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1267900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although people spend most of the day in their home environment, the focus of research in environmental psychology to date has been on factors outside the home. However, it stands to reason that indoor quality likewise has an impact on psychological well-being. Therefore, the present study addresses the question of whether the subjective evaluation of home environmental parameters are related to self-reported anxiety and whether they can additionally explain variance beyond the usual sociodemographic and general lifestyle variables. Methods Data from the Hamburg City Health Study (first 10,000 participants) was analyzed. A subsample of N = 8,886 with available GAD-7 anxiety data was selected, and hierarchical regression models were computed, with demographic data entered first, followed by variables concerning lifestyle/habits and finally variables of the subjective evaluation of home environment. Results Using the integrated model, we were able to explain about 13% of the variance in self-reported anxiety scores. This included both the demographic, lifestyle, and subjective evaluation of home environment variables. Protection from disturbing night lights, a greater sense of security, less disturbing noises, brighter accommodations, and a satisfactory window view explained almost 6% of the variance and was significantly associated with lower anxiety scores. Conclusion The home as a place of refuge plays an increasingly important role as home office hours rise. It is therefore crucial to identify domestic factors contributing to people's mental well-being. The subjective evaluation of one's home environment has proven influential over and above modifiable lifestyle variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Weber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Mascherek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jobst Augustin
- Institute of Health Care Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bastian Cheng
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Götz Thomalla
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanno Hoven
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Volker Harth
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Augustin
- Institute of Health Care Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
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Kühn S, Mascherek A, Filevich E, Lisofsky N, Becker M, Butler O, Lochstet M, Mårtensson J, Wenger E, Lindenberger U, Gallinat J. Spend time outdoors for your brain - an in-depth longitudinal MRI study. World J Biol Psychiatry 2022; 23:201-207. [PMID: 34231438 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.1938670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effects of nature on physical and mental health are an emerging topic in empirical research with increasing influence on practical health recommendations. Here we set out to investigate the association between spending time outdoors and brain structural plasticity in conjunctions with self-reported affect. METHODS We established the Day2day study, which includes an unprecedented in-depth assessment of variability of brain structure in a serial sequence of 40-50 structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisitions of each of six young healthy participants for 6-8 months (n = 281 MRI scans in total). RESULTS A whole-brain analysis revealed that time spent outdoors was positively associated with grey matter volume in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and positive affect, also after controlling for physical activity, fluid intake, free time, and hours of sunshine. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate remarkable and potentially behaviorally relevant plasticity of cerebral structure within a short time frame driven by the daily time spent outdoors. This is compatible with anecdotal evidence of the health and mood-promoting effects of going for a walk. The study may provide the first evidence for underlying cerebral mechanisms of so-called green prescriptions with possible consequences for future interventions in mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kühn
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Mascherek
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elisa Filevich
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Lisofsky
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maxi Becker
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oisin Butler
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Johan Mårtensson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Logopedics, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Wenger
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulman Lindenberger
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Mascherek A, Weber S, Riebandt K, Cassanello C, Leicht G, Brick T, Gallinat J, Kühn S. On the relation between a green and bright window view and length of hospital stay in affective disorders. Eur Psychiatry 2022; 65:1-22. [PMID: 35189997 PMCID: PMC8988271 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The salutary effect of window views on greenery for inpatients in hospitals on length of stay and recovery rate has been repeatedly shown, however, not for psychiatric inpatients. The study assessed the association between a window view on green trees or man-made objects and brightness of the room on length of stay in a sample of psychiatric inpatients from one clinic. Methods Data records of 244 psychiatric inpatients (mean age in years 41.8; SD = 11.8; 59.8% female, length of stay varying between 7 and 100 days) that were admitted between May 2013 and October 2018 with affective disorders were examined. Window view was assessed with images taken from each room and classified into showing man-made objects or green trees. The percentage of green within each image was also calculated as greenness of the view. Brightness was assessed with a luxmeter. Results Although no effect was found for the dichotomous measures (man-made objects vs. green trees), a suppression effect emerged for percentage of green and brightness. The results indicate that both greenness of the window view as well as brightness significantly reduce length of stay in psychiatric inpatients with affective disorders. Conclusions The suppression effect likely results from the characteristics of the windows; the greenest rooms also being the darkest. Due to the infrastructure of the ward, greenness and brightness came at the expense of each other. The results generally support the importance of a view into greenery and natural sunlight for recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascherek
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Weber
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Riebandt
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carlos Cassanello
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246Hamburg, Germany
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, 14195Berlin, Germany
| | - Gregor Leicht
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246Hamburg, Germany
| | - Timothy Brick
- Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania16802, USA
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246Hamburg, Germany
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, 14195Berlin, Germany
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Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kühn S. Is Ejaculation Frequency in Men Related to General and Mental Health? Looking Back and Looking Forward. Front Psychol 2021; 12:693121. [PMID: 34434144 PMCID: PMC8382266 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its relevance for human sexuality, literature on potential effects of ejaculation frequency and masturbation on general and mental health outcomes is sparse. Reasons for this knowledge gap include a general lack of interest, but also methodological challenges and still existing superstition. This paper reconciles literature from various fields to extract relevant information on how ejaculation frequency effects general and mental health outcomes. Culture-bound syndromes have been reported in countries still strictly tabooing or condemning masturbation. Masturbatory guilt describes a phenomenon in individuals experiencing a discrepancy between moral standards and own behavior with respect to masturbation. Abstinence is one aspect under study in the area of fertility treatment. Specific time frames and their respective implications on quality of sperm remain inconclusive. Limited temporal resolution capacities hamper the precise study of brain structures directly activated during ejaculation. The relation between ejaculation frequency and hormonal influences remains poorly understood. Future research that specifically addresses ejaculation frequency and potential mental and general health outcomes is needed. In contrast to extracting knowledge as a byproduct from other studies with a different focus, this enables sound study designs and could provide evidence-based results which could then be further discussed and interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascherek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mirjam Christina Reidick
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Kühn S, Gallinat J, Mascherek A. Effects of computer gaming on cognition, brain structure, and function: a critical reflection on existing literature
. Dialogues Clin Neurosci 2020; 21:319-330. [PMID: 31749656 PMCID: PMC6829166 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2019.21.3/skuehn] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Video gaming as a popular form of leisure activity and its effect on cognition,
brain function, and structure has come into focus in the field of neuroscience.
Visuospatial cognition and attention seem to benefit the most, whereas for executive
functions, memory, and general cognition, the results are contradictory. The particular
characteristics of video games driving these effects remain poorly understood. We
critically discuss major challenges for the existing research, namely, the lack of
precise definitions of video gaming, the lack of distinct choice of cognitive ability
under study, and the lack of standardized study protocols. Less research exists on
neural changes in addition to cognitive changes due to video gaming. Existing studies
reveal evidence for the involvement of similar brain regions in functional and
structural changes. There seems to be a predominance in the hippocampal, prefrontal, and
parietal brain regions; however, studies differ immensely, which makes a meta-analytic
interpretation vulnerable. We conclude that theoretical work is urgently
needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kühn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany; Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Mascherek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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Mascherek A, Werkle N, Göritz AS, Kühn S, Moritz S. Lifestyle Variables Do Not Predict Subjective Memory Performance Over and Above Depression and Anxiety. Front Psychol 2020; 11:484. [PMID: 32265791 PMCID: PMC7096346 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnostic value of subjective cognitive complaints for cognitive functioning in a clinical setting remains unresolved today. However, consensus exists on the relation between subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and mood variables such as anxiety and depression. Hence, SCC have also been discussed as potential proxies of psychopathology rather than representing cognitive functioning. In order to shed more light on yet still unexplained variance in subjective cognitive complaints, the relation between lifestyle variables (such as nutrition habits, exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, quality of sleep, and Body Mass Index) and subjective complaints of selective attention as well as subjective memory performance were assessed, additionally to the influence of objective memory performance, measures of anxiety, and depression. A sample of 877 (554 women) healthy, middle-aged individuals (51 years on average, age range 35–65) was assessed in the present study. In a logistic regression framework results revealed that the effect of lifestyle variables on subjective complaints of selective attention as well as subjective memory performance was rendered non-significant. Instead, subjective complaints of selective attention and subjective memory performance were significantly determined by measures of both, anxiety and depression. One unit increase in anxiety or depression led to an increase of 6 or 15% in subjective memory performance complaints, respectively. For subjective complaints of selective attention, a one unit increase in anxiety or depression led to an increase of 11 or 26%, respectively. The strong relation between SCC and measures of depression and anxiety corroborates the notion of SCC being indicative of mental health and general well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascherek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nathalie Werkle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anja S Göritz
- Department of Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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Mascherek A, Kobler I, Bezzola P. [Safety requires good communication]. Krankenpfl Soins Infirm 2014; 107:68-70. [PMID: 24964602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
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Mascherek A, Kobler I, Bezzola P. [No chance for misinterpretation]. Krankenpfl Soins Infirm 2014; 107:32-34. [PMID: 24919326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
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Abstract
UNLABELLED BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: Typical intellectual engagement has been postulated as a trait-like construct that can explain interindividual differences in the extent of engaging in cognitively challenging tasks. Although formulated within the framework of cognitive development, the developmental aspects of typical intellectual engagement itself have not been studied yet. METHODS Three hundred thirty-four participants from the Zurich Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Aging (73 years on average, ranging from 60 to 85) and 468 graduate students (21 years on average, ranging from 18 to 25) were administered a self-rating scale on typical intellectual engagement. Structural equation modeling was used to study differences in factor means, differences in factor variances, and differences in factor covariances between the two groups. RESULTS Significant mean-level differences between age groups exhibit both decline and increase in old age. An increase in factor variances was shown in the old. Factor correlations were higher in old age compared to young adults. CONCLUSION Both higher and lower mean levels in the old group imply that typical intellectual engagement is a variable that contributes incremental information compared to well-known measures of basic personality traits. Larger variances in the old imply greater heterogeneity in the old sample, which fits into literature on fan-spread phenomenon. Higher factor covariances in the old imply dedifferentiation of typical intellectual engagement in the old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascherek
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Conflicting evidence exists concerning the value of cognitive complaints in the course of assessing cognitive performance in individuals. The present study examines whether cognitive complaints are differentially related to cognitive functioning in groups with different diagnoses. 169 older outpatients (76 years on average) were divided into three groups and diagnosed with subjective cognitive complaints, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia. They were then administered a self-rating questionnaire on cognitive complaints, with semantic fluency and global cognitive functioning being assessed as cognitive measures. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, after controlling for depression, age, sex, and education, global cognitive functioning was not related to cognitive complaints. Semantic fluency was related to cognitive complaints depending on the group. Results suggest that cognitive complaints reflect, in part, actual cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascherek
- Institute of Psychogerontology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Zimprich
- Institute of Psychogerontology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Roland Rupprecht
- Institute of Psychogerontology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Frieder R. Lang
- Institute of Psychogerontology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Typical intellectual engagement (TIE) is related to cognitive development across the life span, but the development of TIE itself has not been examined. In the present study, structural change, differential change, absolute change, stability of divergence, and the generality of changes in the 4 TIE-factors abstract thinking, problem solving, reading, and intellectual curiosity across 5 years were examined in older adults. METHOD Data came from the Zurich Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Aging. Two hundred and thirty-three individuals, 73 years on average at first measurement occasion (2005), were reassessed after 5 years. Confirmatory factor analyses and latent change score models were applied. RESULTS Factor covariances were equal across time, implying structural stability. Coefficients for differential stability were around .80, implying small significant mean-level changes for problem solving and intellectual curiosity. No changes in divergence emerged. Change correlations between the factors were in the medium to large range. DISCUSSION Across 5 years, TIE remained relatively stable on a group level. However, pronounced interindividual differences emerged. Also, although the changes in factors shared a substantial amount of variance, the development of the factors was not completely parallel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascherek
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
The present study examines whether the relationship between memory complaints and memory performance is better assessed by analyzing the mutual development. Five hundred participants, averaging 62.9 years of age at first measurement, were measured three times over 12 years. After establishing partial strong factorial invariance, correlations between levels and between slopes of memory performance and memory complaints were estimated using second-order latent growth curve models. The relationship between slopes was found to be three times larger than the relationship between levels, indicating that assessing the commonality in change is more informative than assessing the relationship at a given time point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascherek
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
This study examined five aspects of change (or stability) in cognitive abilities in middle adulthood across a 12-year period. Data come from the Interdisciplinary Study on Adult Development. The sample consisted of N = 346 adults (43.8 years on average, 48.6% female). In total, 11 cognitive tests were administered to assess fluid and crystallized intelligence, memory, and processing speed. In a first series of analyses, strong measurement invariance was established. Subsequently, structural stability, differential stability, stability of divergence, absolute stability, and the generality of changes were examined. Factor covariances were shown to be equal across time, implying structural stability. Stability coefficients were around .90 for fluid and crystallized intelligence, and speed, indicating high, yet not perfect differential stability. The coefficient for memory was .58. Only in processing speed the variance increased across time, indicating heterogeneity in interindividual development. Significant mean-level changes emerged, with an increase in crystallized intelligence and decline in the other three abilities. A number of correlations among changes in cognitive abilities were significant, implying that cognitive changes in middle adulthood share up to 50 percent of variance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zimprich
- Department of Gerontopsychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse, 14/Box 24, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Mascherek
- Department of Gerontopsychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse, 14/Box 24, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
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