노인의 주관적 기억문제호소와 집행기능, 정서조절의 관계

Associations Between Executive Function, Emotion Regulation, and Subjective Memory Complaints in Older Adults

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 Version of CERAD Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-K), the Korean version of Difficulties in Emotional Regulation 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 impairments in emotion regulation.