Life satisfaction prevents decline in working memory, spatial cognition, and processing speed: Latent change score analyses across 23 years

Abstract

Background

Within-person growth in life satisfaction (LS) can protect against declines in cognitive functioning, and, conversely, over time. However, most studies have been cross-sectional, thereby precluding causal inferences. Thus, we used bivariate dual latent change score modeling to test within-person change-to-future change relations between LS and cognition.

Method

Community adults completed in-person tests of verbal working memory (WM), processing speed, spatial cognition, and an LS self-report. Five waves of assessment occurred across 23 years.

Results

Reduction in LS predicted future decreases in spatial cognition, processing speed, and verbal WM (| d| = 0.150–0.354). Additionally, depletion in processing speed and verbal WM predicted a future decrease in LS ( d = 0.142–0.269). However, change in spatial cognition did not predict change in LS (| d| = 0.085).

Discussion

LS and verbal WM and processing speed predicted one another across long durations. Evidence-based therapies can be augmented to target LS and cognition.