14676 University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO, USA.
Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2021 Apr;92(3):322-337. doi: 10.1177/0091415019896227. Epub 2020 Jan 2.
Worry is a ubiquitous human experience and core symptom of anxiety. The present study examined the extent to which specific aspects of worry are related to perceived executive dysfunction in older adults. A total of 100 older adult participants ( age = 68.82 years; range = 65-79 years) completed the Worry Behaviors Inventory, the Coolidge Axis II Inventory Executive Dysfunctions Scale, and the Constructive and Unconstructive Worry Questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses found that worry constructiveness and response behaviors were predictive of executive dysfunction. Specifically, greater avoidance behaviors and unconstructive worry were uniquely predictive of greater executive dysfunctions. Thus, findings indicate that worry constructiveness and approaches to worry management are significantly related to cognitive functioning in older adults. These findings imply a need to assess both worry and executive dysfunction to more accurately determine causal factors regarding anxiety and cognitive decline in older adults.
担忧是一种普遍存在的人类体验，也是焦虑的核心症状。本研究考察了担忧的特定方面与老年人感知到的执行功能障碍之间的关系。共有 100 名老年参与者（年龄=68.82 岁；范围=65-79 岁）完成了担忧行为量表、库利奇轴 II 执行功能障碍量表和建设性和非建设性担忧问卷。多元回归分析发现，担忧的构念和反应行为与执行功能障碍有关。具体来说，更多的回避行为和非建设性的担忧是与更大的执行功能障碍相关的独特因素。因此，研究结果表明，担忧的构念和应对担忧的方法与老年人的认知功能显著相关。这些发现表明，需要评估担忧和执行功能障碍，以更准确地确定老年人焦虑和认知衰退的因果因素。
