An analysis of diversity in the cognitive performance of elderly community dwellers: Individual differences in change scores as a function of age
Date
1999
Authors
Christensen, Helen
Korten, Ailsa
Jorm, Anthony F
Henderson, A Scott
Jacomb, Trish
Rodgers, Bryan
Mackinnon, Andrew
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Abstract
This longitudinal study investigated whether age is associated with increases in interindividual variability across 4 ability domains using a sample of 426 elderly community dwellers followed over 3.5 years. InterindividuaI variability in change scores increased with age for memory, spatial functioning, and speed but not for crystallized intelligence for the full sample and in a subsample that excluded dementia or probable dementia cases. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that being female, having weaker muscle strength, and having greater symptoms of illness and greater depression were associated with overall greater variability in cognitive scores. Having a higher level of education was associated with reduced variability. These findings are consistent with the view that there is a greater range of responses at older ages, that certain domains of intelligence are less susceptible to variation than others and that variables other than age affect cognitive performance in later life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
Description
Keywords
aged, cognition, memory
Citation
Collections
Source
Psychology and Aging
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2099-12-31