TY - JOUR
T1 - The Paradox in Positive and Negative Aspects of Emotional Functioning Among Older Adults with Early Stages of Cognitive Impairment
AU - Zhang, Manrui
AU - Ho, Emily
AU - Nowinski, Cindy J.
AU - Fox, Rina S.
AU - Ayturk, Ezgi
AU - Karpouzian-Rogers, Tatiana
AU - Novack, Miriam
AU - Dodge, Hiroko H.
AU - Weintraub, Sandra
AU - Gershon, Richard
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - Introduction: Emotional functioning in older adults is influenced by normal aging and cognitive impairment, likely heterogeneous across positive versus negative aspects of emotional functioning. Little is known about positive emotional experiences at the early stages of cognitive impairment. Methods: We assessed different aspects of emotional functioning among 448 participants aged 65+ (Normal Control (NC) = 276, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) = 103, and mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (mild DAT) = 69) and tested moderators. Results: Compared to NC, older adults with MCI and mild DAT have maintained many positive aspects of emotional functioning, despite higher levels of negative affect, sadness, and loneliness. Among the oldest-old, the mild DAT group experienced higher fear and lower self-efficacy. Discussion: Older adults at early stages of cognitive impairment can experience positive aspects of emotional functioning, such as positive affect, purpose, and life satisfaction, all of which are important buildable psychological resources for coping.
AB - Introduction: Emotional functioning in older adults is influenced by normal aging and cognitive impairment, likely heterogeneous across positive versus negative aspects of emotional functioning. Little is known about positive emotional experiences at the early stages of cognitive impairment. Methods: We assessed different aspects of emotional functioning among 448 participants aged 65+ (Normal Control (NC) = 276, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) = 103, and mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (mild DAT) = 69) and tested moderators. Results: Compared to NC, older adults with MCI and mild DAT have maintained many positive aspects of emotional functioning, despite higher levels of negative affect, sadness, and loneliness. Among the oldest-old, the mild DAT group experienced higher fear and lower self-efficacy. Discussion: Older adults at early stages of cognitive impairment can experience positive aspects of emotional functioning, such as positive affect, purpose, and life satisfaction, all of which are important buildable psychological resources for coping.
KW - cognitive aging
KW - cognitive impairment
KW - emotional functioning
KW - negative emotions
KW - positive emotions
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85173774231&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85173774231&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/08982643231199806
DO - 10.1177/08982643231199806
M3 - Article
C2 - 37800686
AN - SCOPUS:85173774231
SN - 0898-2643
VL - 36
SP - 471
EP - 483
JO - Journal of Aging and Health
JF - Journal of Aging and Health
IS - 7-8
ER -