Ilaria Mulas1,2, Marilena Ruiu1, Maria Chiara Fastame3. 1. Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123, Cagliari, Italy. 2. Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123, Cagliari, Italy. 3. Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123, Cagliari, Italy. chiara.fastame@unica.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The role played by cognitive reserve for the maintenance of numeracy skills in late adulthood is still not sufficiently explored. AIMS: This study mainly investigated whether cognitive reserve (i.e., vocabulary) mediates on the relationship between non-verbal reasoning and addition and multiplication skills of older individuals. Moreover, the impact of schooling and gender on written calculation was examined, controlling for the effect of cognitive decline. METHODS: One hundred and six 68-94-year-old participants completed a battery of tests assessing numeracy, executive functions, and cognitive reserve skills. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between age, cognitive reserve, numeracy, and executive functions measures. Besides, mediation analyses indicated that cognitive reserve and non-verbal reasoning explain 23% and 29% of the variance in written addition and multiplication conditions, respectively. Finally, more educated individuals performed better numeracy tasks, whereas the solution of additions and multiplications was not impact by gender. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive reserve impacts numeracy in late adulthood.
BACKGROUND: The role played by cognitive reserve for the maintenance of numeracy skills in late adulthood is still not sufficiently explored. AIMS: This study mainly investigated whether cognitive reserve (i.e., vocabulary) mediates on the relationship between non-verbal reasoning and addition and multiplication skills of older individuals. Moreover, the impact of schooling and gender on written calculation was examined, controlling for the effect of cognitive decline. METHODS: One hundred and six 68-94-year-old participants completed a battery of tests assessing numeracy, executive functions, and cognitive reserve skills. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between age, cognitive reserve, numeracy, and executive functions measures. Besides, mediation analyses indicated that cognitive reserve and non-verbal reasoning explain 23% and 29% of the variance in written addition and multiplication conditions, respectively. Finally, more educated individuals performed better numeracy tasks, whereas the solution of additions and multiplications was not impact by gender. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive reserve impacts numeracy in late adulthood.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aging; Cognitive reserve; Executive functions; Numeracy; Written calculation
Authors: Giorgio Arcara; Sara Mondini; Alice Bisso; Katie Palmer; Francesca Meneghello; Carlo Semenza Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2017-12-22 Impact factor: 5.750