EXPERIMENTAL AGING RESEARCH

Affective and Cognitive Theory of Mind in Aging: What's the Role of Executive Functions and Cognitive Reserve on the Decline?
Merlini A, Gabbatore I, Marini A and Bosco FM
Theory of Mind (ToM), the ability to infer others' mental states, is central to social interaction and may be sensitive to age-related differences. This study explored variations in cognitive and affective ToM across adulthood and examined the roles of executive functions (EFs), general cognition, and Cognitive Reserve (CR).
Examination of Factors Related to Kinesiophobia in Individuals Living in Nursing Homes: Pain, Independence, and Life Satisfaction
Aydemir M and Altuntaş O
This study examined the relationships among kinesiophobia, pain, independence in activities of daily living (ADL), and life satisfaction in 125 residents of nursing homes. Standardized scales were used to assess kinesiophobia, pain, ADL independence, and life satisfaction. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that kinesiophobia was positively correlated with pain ( = 0.764,  < .001) and negatively correlated with ADL independence ( =  -0.772,  < .001) and life satisfaction ( =  -0.681,  < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that pain (β = 0.47,  < .001), reduced ADL independence (β =  -0.38,  < .001), and lower life satisfaction (β =  -0.19,  = .010) significantly predicted kinesiophobia, explaining 70% of the variance (R = 0.700). Among pain subdimensions, pain-induced withdrawal was the strongest predictor. Mediation analysis demonstrated that kinesiophobia partially mediated the relationship between pain and life satisfaction (indirect effect B =  -0.158, 95% CI: -0.307 to -0.042). These findings indicate that pain, loss of independence, and reduced psychosocial well-being jointly contribute to fear of movement in institutionalized older adults. Targeted occupational therapy interventions focusing on pain management, autonomy enhancement, and psychological support may reduce kinesiophobia and improve overall well-being in this population.
Association Between Job Adaptation According to Education Level and Cognitive Decline in Middle-Aged and Older Workers
Kim MS and Kim JH
Workplace factors across middle and later life may influence cognitive aging and later-life cognitive change. We examined associations of job - education adaptation with global cognitive function (MMSE) in middle-aged and older Korean workers.
Associative Memory and Trustworthiness of Artificial Faces in Young and Older Adults
Alberts KO and Castel AD
Older adults generally show deficits in associative memory and increased trust in faces compared to young adults. However, little research has been conducted on older adults' associative memory and trust in artificial faces. The present study investigated young and older adults' perceived trustworthiness for real and artificial faces that were associated with either a scam or neutral condition.
Effects of Semantic Interference and Facilitation on Lexical Retrieval: Evolution in Healthy Aging
Gilis S, Lefebvre L and Simoes Loureiro I
Word retrieval difficulties, such as anomia, increase with age. While some language functions, like semantic knowledge, remain stable or improve, lexical retrieval declines, due to reduced processing speed, weaker inhibition, and increased lexical competition. The Picture-Word Interference (PWI) paradigm is commonly used to study these effects. Taxonomic relations (e.g. cow - horse) tend to increase interference, whereas thematic relations (e.g. cow - milk) may facilitate retrieval. This study investigates how semantic links influence lexical retrieval and whether these effects vary with age.
Self-Regulatory Focus Predicts Everyday Memory Strategy Use for Older, but Not Young, Adults
Lineweaver TT, Terwillegar S, Aardsma NJ, Washel K, Sipes AM and Horhota M
This study examined the role of memory-specific self-regulatory focus in guiding young and older adults' usage of everyday memory strategies Participants included 164 young (ages 18-23) and 204 older (ages 68-75) adults. Structural equation modeling tested our hypothesis that participants' prevention-based and promotion-based self-regulatory focus influences memory strategy use through memory beliefs (memory self-efficacy, present control, future control) and participant perceptions of the memory strategies' focus toward maximizing memory functioning versus preventing future memory decline. We modeled participants' utilization of both use-it-or-lose-it strategies (commonly used by older adults) and task-focused strategies (commonly used by young adults). Older adults endorsed stronger prevention-based and promotion-based self-regulatory focus than young adults did. We also found strong evidence that, for older adults, the significant relationship between self-regulatory focus and memory strategy use for both use-it-or-lose-it and task-focused strategies was frequently mediated by memory beliefs and less frequently mediated by the perceived focus of the strategies. In contrast, self-regulatory focus did not predict memory strategy use for young adults. Results suggest that encouraging a promotion- or prevention-focused lens based on an individual's memory self-efficacy and perceived control over their memory may foster optimal memory strategy selection in older adults' daily lives.
Cognitive Status and Mental Disorder Morbidity are Differentially Associated with Semantic Verbal Fluency in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Maldonado-Vargas G, Hernández-Montiel HL, Díaz-Cintra S, Reyes-López JV and Castro-Chavira SA
This work thoroughly evaluated the association between cognitive status, mental disorders, and semantic verbal fluency (SVF).
Differences in Response Between Healthy Older Adults and Patients with Alzheimer's Disease When Using Memory Aids to Manage Medication and Factors Influencing Their Success
Fujita T, Notoya M, Kato K and Kimura D
Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) lose the ability to manage their medications as the disease progresses. Several methods have been used to administer medication to patients at home using Internet of Things (IoT) devices for rehabilitation, but no studies have yet been published investigating the factors that influence the success or failure of this approach in older adults and patients with AD. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate differences in medication-related behaviors and their influencing factors in older adults, both with and without AD, using IoT.
Gait in Older People with Cognitive Impairments During Rhythmic Auditory Cueing: A Scoping Review
Msigwa S, Jane A, St George RJ and Michele L C
Rhythmic auditory cueing (RAC) can enhance gait performance. However, little is known about its effect in people with cognitive impairment. The aim of this review was to describe, in studies of people with cognitive impairment: 1) the medical conditions and cognitive stages studied; 2) the RAC protocols and gait variables measured; and 3) whether cognitive stage or RAC protocols have differing effects on gait.
A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Age-Related Differences in Inhibitory Control on the Flanker Task
Guay S, Landry M, Rigoulot S and Boller B
Aging is associated with declines in cognitive functions, particularly inhibitory control. The flanker task is widely used to assess this function; however, research findings on age-related differences remain inconsistent.
Protective Effects of Cedrol on Aging-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats
Ghorbani F, Forqani MA, Hosseini M and Forouzanfar F
Aging is a gradual alteration in cells and tissues' homeostasis mechanisms. Oxidative stress is an important contributor to aging. This study investigated the effect of cedrol a natural sesquiterpene on rats' memory and oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiol levels in the hippocampus, cortex, liver, heart, and kidneys of rats and their liver enzymes.
Understanding Age-Related Interference in Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Performance: A Novel Approach
Béraud-Peigné N, Perrot A, Maquestiaux F and Maillot P
Cognitive tasks in dual-task (DT) tests can be either driven mainly by the environmental demands (an" environment-driven" mode of control) or guided mainly by the individual (a "self-generated" mode of control). Two new DT tests were conducted to determine the effect of cognitive task types (self-generated vs. environment-driven) on cognitive and motor interference in DT.
Measuring Subjective Vitality and Depletion in Older People from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: A Dual Country Study
Dawe J, Cavicchiolo E, Palombi T, Frederick CM, Chirico A, Lucidi F and Alivernini F
As the global older population grows, research increasingly focuses on their well-being and quality of life, aspects that are often impacted by a perceived loss of energy and fatigue. To describe individuals' energy dynamics, Self-Determination Theory (SDT) has recently proposed a dual-process model based on two constructs: Subjective Vitality and Depletion. The present study aims to validate the Subjective Vitality/Depletion Scale (SVDS), an instrument based on this model. A sample of 726 older adults (over 65) from two countries, USA and Italy (M = 72.57, SD = 6.49), completed the SVDS, the Big Five Inventory 2 - Extra Short Form (BFI-2-XS), the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ). Confirmatory factor analyses of the SVDS support the SDT hypothesis that Subjective Vitality and Depletion are two distinct, yet related constructs. Full measurement invariance for the scale was achieved across gender and age subgroups, while partial scalar invariance was established across different countries, suggesting some specific influence of cultural factors. Correlations with BFI-2-XS, SF-12, and GSLTPAQ support the SVDS validity. The study provided evidence that the SVDS based on SDT is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing Subjective Vitality and Depletion among older individuals.
Spousal Education and Epigenetic Age Among Partnered Older Adults in the United States
Pai M and Yu YL
This study examined (1) the association between spousal education and epigenetic age acceleration among US older adults, and (2) whether this varies by their own education level and marital history.
Associations Between Age, Chronic Pain, Cognitive Function, and Pain Sensitivity: A Comparison of Older and Younger Adults
Çekok FK, Altınkaya PM, Gökşen A, Aktaş A and Kahraman T
The aim of this study was to examine the associations between age, chronic pain, cognitive function, and pain sensitivity by comparing older and younger adults. The study included 30 older adults with chronic pain, 31 older adults without pain, 26 young adults with chronic pain, and 31 young adults without pain. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Stroop Test, and Clock Drawing Test. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured in the trapezius, deltoid, and tibialis anterior regions using an algometer. Significant differences were observed in most cognitive functions and PPTs between the groups, particularly between older adults with and without chronic pain, and young adults with and without chronic pain. Generally, moderate to strong negative correlations were found between pain sensitivity and cognitive performance in older adults with chronic pain. In contrast, young adults with chronic pain showed weaker and fewer correlations between pain sensitivity and cognitive function. Chronic pain has a more significant negative impact on cognitive function in older adults, who also exhibit stronger associations between pain sensitivity and cognitive decline. In contrast, younger adults with chronic pain demonstrate weaker correlations, potentially due to adaptive coping mechanisms. These findings highlight the need for age-specific interventions targeting both pain and cognitive decline in older populations.
The Effect of Appearance Aging Stereotype on Sense of Body Ownership and the Mediating Role of Self-Objectification
Ma Y, Zhang H and Zhang B
Appearance aging stereotypes are prevalent in societal contexts. However, the effects of appearance aging stereotypes on psychological constructs, particularly appearance-related bodily self-consciousness in older adults, remain underexplored. This study explored the effect of appearance aging stereotypes on sense of body ownership in older adults and the mediating role of self-objectification.
Older Adults Self-Regulate Learning and Update Knowledge Regarding Psychology-Related Misconceptions
DeCaro RE and Thomas AK
We examined how older and younger adults corrected misconceptions related to psychology when given the opportunity to engage in self-regulated learning (SRL).
Adult Age, Moral Foundations, and Moral Stereotyping
Khalatian P and Bixter MT
The main aim of the current study was to investigate the role of adult age in the moral stereotyping of moral foundations. The five core moral foundations of Moral Foundations Theory were measured, including the individualizing foundations of and and the binding foundations of , , and .
Potential Benefits of Tai Chi Chuan Exercise on the Cognitive Functions, Aerobic Capacity and Mood States of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Ouyang B, Liu L, Li K, Dai J, Zhang J and Qu H
The evidence of the benefits of Tai Chi Chuan on cognitive functions, aerobic capacity and mood states of older adults remain unclear. A cross-sectional study was designed to explore the potential effects of Tai Chi Chuan on these aspects.
Picture This! Item Frames, Together with Depressive Affect and Humility, Differentially Affect the Memory Self-Efficacy of Young and Older Adults
Lineweaver TT, Henderson RS, Strepek ZJ, Patmore EA, Gilsenan GE, Flandermeyer E, Hermsen TP, Reichle SJ and Sawin KG
We compared how young and older adults' memory self-efficacy (MSE) responded to changes in item framing and examined how MSE relates to depressive affect, humility, and objective memory abilities in these two age groups.
Unveiling Cognitive Health Disparities: A Gender Perspective on Aging in India
Irshad CV, Behera DK and Dash U
The study examined the association of various socioeconomic, demographic, health risk behavior, and social capital factors with the cognitive health status of older adults in India.