Associations Between Executive Function, Emotion Regulation, and Subjective Memory Complaints in Older Adults
10.47825/jkgp.2025.29.1.1
- Author:
Hansol LEE
1
;
Hoyoung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Geriatric Psychiatry
2025;29(1):1-8
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study aimed to investigate whether emotion regulation and executive function contribute to subjective memory complaints (SMC) in older adults.
Methods:The study included community-dwelling healthy older adults aged 60 and above who completed the Korean Ver-sion of CERAD Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-K), the Korean version of Difficulties in Emotional Regula-tion Scale, the Subjective Memory Complaint Questionnaire, and the Revised Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale.Participants suspected of cognitive impairment based on Mini-Mental State Examination scores from the CERAD-K were excluded. Data from 221 older adults were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and analysis of covariance to examine the associations between emotion regulation, executive function, and SMC.
Results:Among the subcomponents of emotion regulation, difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behaviors in negative affective states significantly predicted SMC, even after controlling for demographic variables and depression.
Conclusion:These findings suggest that older adults with SMC may experience distress in daily life not only due to negative emotions themselves but also due to difficulties in maintaining goal-directed behavior in negative affective states, reflecting im-pairments in emotion regulation.
