Higher wellbeing is linked to better memory function, found a new study published in Aging & Mental Health. The findings suggest that better wellbeing may protect memory function from middle to later adulthood.
“In the context of an ageing population, understanding factors that may protect and maintain healthy cognitive function is critical for enhanced population health and health policy development,” said lead author of the study, Dr Amber John, a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Liverpool, in a press release.
In the current study, researchers assessed the bidirectional relationship between wellbeing and memory. To do so, they analyzed longitudinal healthcare data from the UK including 10, 760 men and women aged 50 years and above. Wellbeing was assessed via a quality-of-life questionnaire and memory via participants’ ability to recall ten words immediately and after a delay. Both were assessed every two years for a total of nine times over a 16-year study period.
Ultimately, the researchers found a small but significant link between higher wellbeing scores and better memory. The link remained after adjusting for depression. The researchers explained that multiple factors may explain the link and that these range from biological factors such as cardiovascular disease and lifestyle factors like physical activities to demographic factors like gender, lifestyle and socioeconomic status.
“While, in this research, we can’t examine and understand the relationship between causes and effects, determining if one event leads to another (causality), our findings are important in proposing that good wellbeing predates better memory rather than vice versa,” said John.
She added that if causality could be demonstrated, improving wellbeing could protect against subsequent memory decline.
“This study found that people over 50 who reported they felt happier and more fulfilled in life had a better memory over time. However, this research is observational – and more work is needed to understand how a positive wellbeing and memory are connected and whether this has a knock-on effect on dementia risk,” Emma Taylor, Information Services Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, not involved in the study, said in a press release.
Sources: Aging & Mental Health, EurekAlert
