Age differences in the relationship between anxiety and recall.

The present study examined the relationship between anxiety and recall performance as well as whether this association varied by age. One hundred and ninety-five young, middle-aged, and older adults studied and recalled a list of 30 categorizable words. Anxiety was measured before memory testing using a cognitive-specific anxiety measure (PIC) and after testing with a state measure (STAI). Based on previous research it was expected that older adults would show more anxiety related to cognitive testing than younger adults, but our results revealed no significant age differences in anxiety. There was, however, a negative relationship between cognitive-specific anxiety and memory, such that greater anxiety was related to poorer recall, but this was so only for middle-aged and older adults. This suggests that middle-aged and older adults may be more influenced by anticipatory cognitive-specific anxiety than younger adults. Although many factors may contribute to memory decline, our results suggest that managing anxiety may be a promising avenue for minimizing episodic memory problems in later life.