Abstract

The number of older individuals experiencing age related cognitive decline (ARCD) continues to grow exponentially. Memory, executive functioning, and cognitive processing speed have shown to be particularly sensitive to the effects of aging. The same regions of the brain associated with executive functioning and memory are also associated with mood. Researchers have shown an association between ARCD and depression. Research on physical activity (PA) continues to show a beneficial influence on cognition, physical health, and mood. Developmentally, women and men have normal differences in cognitive functioning. As women and men age, these differences can increase. In addition, researchers have shown that level of PA engagement between men and women can differ. Given these established relationships, continued investigation of how these variables interact is important. The aim of the current study is to use a healthy aging population to investigate the interaction of PA, depressive symptoms, and gender on cognitive functioning. Results showed that the overall optimal linear combination of PA, depressive symptoms, gender, and all interactions accounted for about 6.4% of the variance in memory performance (p < .05). Gender was also shown to be a significant predictor of memory performance (p < .01). Depressive symptoms were shown to be a significant predictor of executive functioning performance (p < .05). All other models were non-significant.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Aréchiga, Adam L.

Second Advisor

Lee, Grace J.

Third Advisor

Morrell, Holly E. R.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2017

Date (Title Page)

6-2017

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Memory - Age Factors; Cognition - Age Factors; Depression; Executive Functions - Physiology;

Subject - Local

Cognitive Decline; Executive Functioning; Effects of Aging; Depressive symptoms; Gender

Type

Thesis

Page Count

57

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Download

Share

COinS