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Aging & Mental Health Volume 24, 2020 - Issue 4
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Lifestyle Coping and Mental Health

Distinct effects of cognitive versus somatic anxiety on cognitive performance in old age: the role of working memory capacity

Nathalie MellaGroupe de Recherche en Psychologie de la Santé, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Cognitive Aging Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Centre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Correspondence[email protected]
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Fanny ValletGroupe de Recherche en Psychologie de la Santé, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Centre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Marine BeaudoinLIP/PC2S, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Chambéry, France
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Delphine FagotCentre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Marie BaeriswylCentre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Nicola BallhausenCognitive Aging Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Centre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Grégoire MétralCentre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Julia SauterCentre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Andreas IhleCentre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Rainer GabrielCentre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ORCID Iconhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-1656-5984
ORCID Icon,
Michel OrisCentre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Matthias KliegelCognitive Aging Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Centre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Olivier DesrichardGroupe de Recherche en Psychologie de la Santé, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; ;Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;
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Pages 604-610 | Received 25 Jun 2018, Accepted 11 Nov 2018, Published online: 31 Dec 2018
 
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Abstract

Objective: The adverse effects of anxiety on cognition are widely recognized. According to Attentional Control Theory, worry (i.e. facet of cognitive anxiety) is the component that is responsible for these effects, and working memory capacity (WMC) plays an important role in regulating them. Despite the increasing importance of this problem with aging, little is known about how these mechanisms interact in old age. In this study, we explored the distinct contributions of the somatic and cognitive components of anxiety to neuropsychological performance, and the potential moderating role of WMC.

Method: We administered cognitive tasks testing processing speed, cognitive flexibility and working memory to 605 older adults, who also underwent depression and test anxiety assessments (data from VLV study).

Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that cognitive (but not somatic) aspects of anxiety affected cognitive flexibility. The effect of cognitive anxiety on processing speed was moderated by WMC: the anxiety-performance association was lower for participants with greater WMC.

Conclusion: Results confirmed the specific role of worry in the anxiety–performance relationship in old age and supported the hypothesis that working memory resources regulates its deleterious effect on cognition. The absence of a moderation effect in the more costly switching task may reflect a limitation of resources with aging.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

 

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Grant no: 10.13039/501100001711.

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