Aging and subjective cognitive difficulties during COVID-19: stress and positive experiences
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE(S): Stressful and positive experiences may inform subjective perceptions of cognition; however, much of the literature focuses on stressful experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an unprecedented opportunity to examine individual differences related to both minor (weekly) and larger (life) stressful and positive experiences, and subjective cognitive functioning during a worldwide, chronic stressor. The current studies examined these associations in two samples of older adults which used two different time scales - weeks and months. We also examined how age moderated associations. METHODS: = 76.16) were assessed every six months for up to 2½ years during the pandemic RESULTS: In both studies, higher typical stress (weekly stress intensity and life events) was related to more subjective cognitive difficulties. In Study 1 but not Study 2, older age was related to lower levels of subjective cognitive difficulties, especially during weeks with high stress and positive experiences (within-persons). CONCLUSION: The current study provides information as to whose subjective cognition may be most impacted by stress and positive experiences within a major non-normative event.
Source: Anxiety Stress & Coping
Language: English
Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4407781733