Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 42328313 DOI: 10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2025-0452
Relationship between subjective well-being and cognitive performance in older adults.
Dement Neuropsychol 20:e20250452
Authors: Sabrina Aparecida da Silva, Tiago Nascimento Ordonez, Gabriela Dos Santos, Henrique Salmazo da Silva, Maria Antônia Antunes de Souza, Diana Dos Santos Bacelar, Laydiane Alves Costa, Rosa Yuka Sato Chubaci, Beatriz Aparecida Ozello Gutierrez, Allan Gustavo Bregola, Alexsandro Roberto Nascimento Ordonez, Sonia Maria Dozzi Brucki, Thais Bento Lima da Silva
Affiliations
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Departamento de Gerontologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Santo Antônio de Jesus BA, Brazil.
- Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
- Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo SP, Brazil.
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Grupo de Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Departamento de Gerontologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil. Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Grupo de Neurologia Cognitiva e do Comportamento, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
Abstract
UNLABELLED
The study of subjective well-being (SWB) is fundamental to positive psychology, being considered a potential protective factor for health and the maintenance of cognitive reserve during aging. Despite international evidence, there are gaps in the Brazilian literature regarding how specific components of SWB relate to different cognitive domains.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relationship between subjective well-being and cognitive performance in cognitively healthy Brazilian older adults.
METHODS
A longitudinal study was conducted with 183 older adults (mean age 67.3 years). Scales for General Life Satisfaction (SGV), Domain-Referenced Life Satisfaction (SVRD), and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale were applied. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Data were analyzed via Spearman's correlation matrix.
RESULTS
The sample showed a female predominance and high educational level (mean of 17 years). Participants exhibited high levels of SWB and good cognitive performance. General life satisfaction correlated positively with the MMSE and the attention/orientation domains of the ACE-R. Satisfaction with mental capacity (SVRD_Mental) showed a significant correlation with global performance in both cognitive tests. However, no significant correlations were found between affect states (positive or negative) and cognition in this sample.
CONCLUSION
Healthy, highly educated older adults exhibit high levels of subjective well-being and satisfactory cognitive performance. The results reinforce the association between life satisfaction and cognitive reserve, suggesting that SWB may act as a marker of successful aging.
MeSH
Aging, Cognitive Reserve