Work

Self-rated cognitive failures in young adults are associated with depression and sleep disturbances, not objective cognitive performance

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Although older age is dominantly associated with cognitive complaints or mistakes, such failures are also prevalent but much less studied in the young population. Importantly, they might impact academic or occupational performance, sleep, or general affect and well-being. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify variables potentially contributing to cognitive failures in healthy young adults, including objective cognitive performance, sleep, and affective factors. 125 young adults (mean age: 21 years, SD = 2.29) completed a series of self-report questionnaires and performed neurocognitive tasks targeting memory and executive functions. Variables associated with cognitive failures were identified by correlation analysis and hierarchical multiple linear regression. We demonstrated that although the amount of self-reported cognitive failures was not associated with objective cognitive performance, it was significantly related to subjective sleep quality and depression. Our results indicate the importance of examining affective and sleep-related factors in the case of subjective cognitive complaints, as cognitive failures reflect worries about one’s cognitive ability rather than actual cognitive functioning, even at a younger age. Not applicable.

Source: BMC Psychology

DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-05531-0

Authors: Márta Volosin, Fanni Mercédesz Kovács, Eszter Csábi

Institutions: University of Szeged, Semmelweis University

Language: English

Topic: Cognitive Functions and Memory

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,990