Thesis
Multiple memory processes and everyday functional assessment in older adults
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101405
Abstract
Correctly assessing functional ability in older adults has numerous practical and clinical implications, and comparisons across current assessment methods often yield discrepant results. The present study investigated the contributions of content and non-content (i.e., prospective and temporal order) memory on functional ability scores across three types of assessment methods (i.e., questionnaire, performance-based, and direct observation measures). It was hypothesized that non-content memory would be predictive of questionnaire and direct observation measures, but not performance-based measures. A total of 197 community-dwelling older adults who were classified as non-MCI healthy older adults (n = 152) or who met criteria for mild cognitive impairment (n = 45), completed six different assessments of functional status (two questionnaires, two performance-based tasks, two direct observation tasks) as well as measures of content and non-content memory. The non-MCI group performed significantly better on all measures of functional status and memory. Using hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses, content memory and prospective memory were found to significantly predict all measures of functional status, while temporal order memory was significantly predictive of questionnaire and direct observation measures, but not performance-based measures. These results suggest that both content and non-content memory processes are important for everyday functioning in older adults, but that the proxy measures we use to assess functional ability are likely not as equivalent as they are currently assumed to be in research and clinical practice. Future research should further investigate the role of non-content memory processes in the functional status of older adults, and aim to inform the development and use of maximally effective and valid proxy measures of functional ability.
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Details
- Title
- Multiple memory processes and everyday functional assessment in older adults
- Creators
- Jenna Katelyn Beaver
- Contributors
- Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525144301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis