[Subjective cognitive dysfunctions in the elderly: a change-oriented viewpoint].

The relation between subjective cognitive complaints and the actual level of cognitive performance in the elderly is of interest in both basic and applied cognitive research. However, most studies suggest a small to moderate correlation between complaints and actual performance. In contrast to previous studies, we examined the relation between changes in fluid and crystallized intelligence, changes in memory performance, and changes in subjective cognitive complaints in a sample of 465 older adults (M = 62.9 years) at two measurement occasions four years apart. The results indicate significant relationships between changes in subjective complaints and changes in memory performance and changes in fluid intelligence. The discussion focuses on the importance of a change-oriented view in examining subjective cognitive complaints from an applied perspective.