Is Occupational Complexity Associated with Cognitive Performance or Decline? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Gerontology
Anna P LaneMary A Luszcz

Abstract

Long-term protective associations proposed between previous complex occupational tasks and cognitive functioning in later life point to work roles contributing to cognitive reserve. To examine occupational complexity involving data, people, and things in relation to the level of, and rate of change in, cognitive functioning. Participants were 1,290 members of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing and initially aged 65-102 years (mean = 79). Information about main lifetime occupation was collected retrospectively. Cognition was assessed 4 times over a 13-year interval. In multilevel models adjusted for demographics, medical conditions, and depressive symptoms, higher complexity involving data was associated with faster speed (β = 0.73, p < 0.001), better memory (β = 0.32, p < 0.05), and mental status (β = 0.40, p < 0.001) at baseline. These associations remained statistically reliable after adjusting for complexity with people and things, sedentary and heavy physical work, retirement age, and leisure activity. Complexity with things was associated with slower speed (β = -0.50, p < 0.001) and poorer mental status (β = -0.26, p < 0.01) and was not explained by other variables. There were no associations of occupational compl...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 28, 2018·Annual Review of Psychology·Lars Nyberg, Sara Pudas
Jul 12, 2019·American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP·Felix S HussenoederFrancisca S Rodriguez
Sep 29, 2019·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Jinshil HyunMartin J Sliwinski
Nov 11, 2017·Alzheimer's & Dementia : Translational Research & Clinical Interventions·Grazyna Pomorska, Judith K Ockene
Dec 28, 2018·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Tim D WindsorDenis Gerstorf
Jan 11, 2019·Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports·Corinne Pettigrew, Anja Soldan
Dec 29, 2019·Alzheimer's Research & Therapy·A C van LoenhoudW M van der Flier
May 22, 2020·International Psychogeriatrics·Felix S HussenoederFrancisca S Rodriguez
May 13, 2021·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Yeonjung Jane LeeRoss Andel

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