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Comparing and Predicting Inconsistency on Positive and Negative Life Experiences Reports: Which Variables Matter? SOCIAL SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci11020061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Most studies about life experiences and their long-term impact have relied on retrospective assessments and cross-sectional designs. However, there are concerns about the inconsistency of reports, which have been addressed in a limited scope. This study aimed to compare differences on inconsistency between positive and negative experiences to describe potential patterns and to identify sociodemographic, experiences-related and design-related predictors of inconsistency. Adults from community (N = 171) reported their life experiences twice, through self-report or interview. An overall trend of overreporting was found for positive and negative experiences. Additionally, inconsistency on positive experiences was higher than on negative although both variables were correlated. Regarding predictors of inconsistency, the model explained greater variance for negative experiences than for the positive ones. Nevertheless, most variables did not predict inconsistency, with few exceptions: impact for positive experiences, total of experiences for negative experiences, and time interval was marginally significant for both. Available data comparing inconsistency on positive and negative experiences as well as associated predictors are incipient. Overall, it seems that we know more about variables not involved in inconsistency than those that matter. Due to its relevancy, this issue should be further examined.
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Castanho TC, Santos NC, Meleiro-Neves C, Neto S, Moura GR, Santos MA, Cruz AR, Cunha O, Castro Rodrigues A, Rodrigues AJ, Sousa N. Association of positive and negative life events with cognitive performance and psychological status in late life: A cross-sectional study in Northern Portugal. AGING BRAIN 2021; 1:100020. [PMID: 36911520 PMCID: PMC9997151 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2021.100020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Life events have important effects on psychological well-being. Yet, studies have mainly focused on exploring the impact of traumatic and negative experiences on health and well-being, with positive events receiving marginal attention. In this study, we investigated the association between negative and positive life events, cognitive performance and psychological status in older individuals. Method A cross-sectional approach with a sample of 97 community-dwelling adults, recruited from a network of 23 centres/institutions in Northern Portugal, and aged between 56 and 85 years, was conducted. All participants were evaluated through a battery of tests assessing for depressive mood, perceived stress, and cognitive functioning. Life events were measured using the Lifetime Experiences Scale (LIFES) which covers 75 life experiences organized in eight domains. Results A total of 95.9% of the participants reported more positive life events than negative throughout life. Participants reporting more positive experiences had lower scores in the depressive mood and perceived stress measures. At the domain-level of LIFES scale, more negative experiences in the Work and Health domains were associated with a depressed mood and more perceived stress. Significant positive associations were found between positive life experiences and most cognitive measures, after controlling for sex, education, age and depressive symptoms. Namely, more positive experiences at School, Leisure, and Living conditions were positively associated with better performance across cognitive tests. Discussion This study adds important evidence on the association between of life events, both negative and positive experiences, on cognition and psychological well-being, providing a more balanced view of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal.,Association P5 Digital Medical Centre (ACMP5), Braga, Portugal
| | - N C Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal.,Association P5 Digital Medical Centre (ACMP5), Braga, Portugal
| | - C Meleiro-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal
| | - S Neto
- Genome Medicine laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - G R Moura
- Genome Medicine laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M A Santos
- Genome Medicine laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A R Cruz
- School of Psychology, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal.,Lusófona University HEI-Lab, Porto, Portugal
| | - O Cunha
- School of Psychology, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal.,Lusófona University HEI-Lab, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Castro Rodrigues
- School of Psychology, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal.,ISPA, William James Center for Research, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A J Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga (2CA-B), Braga, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Braga, Portugal.,Association P5 Digital Medical Centre (ACMP5), Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga (2CA-B), Braga, Portugal
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