Exploring the effect of depressive symptoms and ageing on metamemory in an Italian adult sample

Psychol Health Med. 2014;19(2):127-35. doi: 10.1080/13548506.2013.802360. Epub 2013 Jun 4.

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of depression and age-related factors on metamemory measures in an Italian adult sample. Fifty-eight healthy participants were recruited in Northern Italy and were, respectively, assigned to the following groups: Young (20-30 years old), old (60-70 years old), and Very Old (71-84 years old). Participants were administered a battery of tests, including a word recall task, self-referent mnestic efficiency scales, general beliefs about memory, and depression measures. General beliefs about memory, self-efficacy, and beliefs about the control of personal memory were predicted by age, education, depression, and mnestic and cognitive efficiency. Finally, age-related differences were found in metamemory measures: the accuracy of mnestic control processes is thought to be lower by very old adults than by old and young individuals.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Depression / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Memory, Episodic
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Young Adult