Psychogeriatrics · Jan 21, 2024

The relationship between metacognitive processes and cognitive performances in older adults with no significant impairment: a cross-sectional study

By Kurnaz S, Durmaz O

BACKGROUND: Metacognitive dysfunctions have been implicated in several neuropsychiatric conditions, while cognitive performances have been evaluated by measuring cognitive domains in older adults. This study investigated a relationship between metacognitive processes and cognitive performances in older adults. METHODS: A sociodemographic form, the Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE) and the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) were applied to participants aged >65 years who had no significant cognitive decline defined as normal or with mild cognitive impairment. RESULTS: 'Negative beliefs about worry' and 'need to control thoughts' domains of MCQ-30 were related to cognitive performance measured with SMMSE. Increased negative beliefs about worry were a predicting factor for total cognitive performance as a means of contributing to cognitive impairment, whereas an increased need to control thoughts was related to having a less likely cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Metacognitive dysfunctional processes, in particular about worry, might contribute to determining more decent outcomes for cognitive conditions in older adults with no significant cognitive dysfunction.

doi.org/10.1111/psyg.13077 Open access PubMed 38247025 Populations