Older adults’ beliefs about forgetting and aging predict memory self-efficacy above and beyond actual memory performance and mental health

Vallet, Fanny;Agrigoroaei, Stefan;Beaudoin, Marine;Fournet, Nathalie;Desrichard, Olivier;et.al.
(2015) European Review of Social Psychology — Vol. 28, p. 57-79 (2015)

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Authors
  • Vallet, FannyUniversitédeSavoie
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  • Beaudoin, MarineUniversitédeSavoie
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  • Fournet, NathalieUniversitédeSavoie
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  • Desrichard, OlivierUCLouvain
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Abstract
Memory Self-Efficacy (MSE) in older adults is linked to memory decline and mental health. However, the relation between MSE and older adults’ beliefs about forgetting and aging is rarely evaluated. In the present study, we hypothesized that beliefs about forgetting and aging predict MSE for older adults, regardless of actual memory performance and mental health. We analyzed data from a community sample of 298 participants aged between 57 and 87 years, using three indicators of MSE (including one of perceived temporal change in memory), a measure of beliefs about forgetting and aging, and measures of memory performance, depression, trait-anxiety, and subjective health. The results support our hypothesis, thereby highlighting the need to consider adherence to beliefs about forgetting and aging when investigating variations in MSE in older adults.
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Vallet, F., Agrigoroaei, S., Beaudoin, M., Fournet, N., Paignon, A., Roulin, J.-L., & Desrichard, O. (2015). Older adults’ beliefs about forgetting and aging predict memory self-efficacy above and beyond actual memory performance and mental health. European Review of Social Psychology, 28, 57-79. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/179414 (Original work published 2015)