Repetitive negative thinking is associated with subjective cognitive decline in older adults: Neuropsychology/early detection of cognitive decline with neuropsychological tests. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schlosser, Marco; Demnitz‐King, Harriet; Whitfield, Tim; Marchant, Natalie L.
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 6
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.038518
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Subjectively experienced cognitive decline (SCD), particularly when accompanied by worries, has been associated with an increased risk for dementia. Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a transdiagnostic process that manifests across several mental health disorders previously associated with increased vulnerability to dementia. RNT has thus been proposed as a candidate psychological risk factor for dementia and, relatedly, could contribute to the manifestation of SCD. Method: In a cross‐sectional online survey, 491 older adults (mean age = 64.9 years) completed measures of RNT and other theoretically informed psychological risk/protective factors for dementia, namely, personality (including neuroticism), purpose in life, worry, rumination, and meditation practice. SCD was assessed continuously via the Cognition Function Short Form and categorically via endorsement (yes/no) of worries about memory. Regression models, using a stepwise backwards elimination, were built to assess associations between SCD and all psychological risk and protective factors. Final prediction models retained all explanatory variables associated with SCD at p < 0.01. Age, sex and education were retained in all models. Result: RNT was the only psychological variable associated with SCD (SE = ‐0.52; 95% CI: ‐0.59 to ‐0.44; p <0.001), with higher RNT levels associated with worse self‐perceived cognitive function. A total of 16.1% of participants reported feeling worried about their memory. RNT was the only variable associated with worries about memory (OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.70 to 2.86; p <0.001). Conclusion: This study empirically corroborates the theoretical relationship between SCD and RNT. SCD is a relatively newly defined clinical stage, and thus requires more research to better understand the clinical characteristics of the group. SCD has been associated with elevated anxiety and neuroticism (Jessen et al., 2014), but we show that neither worry (a core symptom of anxiety) nor neuroticism add explanatory power to predict SCD symptoms over and above RNT. The relationship between RNT and SCD therefore appears not to be based on the time orientation of negative thoughts (worry being future‐directed and RNT time‐independent). RNT, whether it be a prodromal symptom or independent risk factor, is a promising marker of dementia risk given its association with SCD.