Examining Mediators of the Relationship Between Subjective Age and Cognition

Abstract: Research has demonstrated associations between subjective age (i.e., the age that one feels) and cognitive performance, although the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain understudied. The current study examined the predictive validity of subjective age on objective and subjective cognition as well as depressive symptoms and self-rated health (SRH) as statistical mediators. We used secondary data analysis comprising the cross-sectional data of 247 adults (ages 50+) to conduct a series of hierarchical linear regressions and mediation analyses. Older subjective age was significantly associated with lower ratings of measures of subjective cognition, and depressive symptoms and SRH partially mediated these relationships. The malleability of depressive symptoms and SRH provide promising directions for future research aimed at enhancing or maintaining cognition in older adults.