|
|||||
|
|
The influence of social support and perceived stress on response time inconsistency |
|
| Authors: | Sandi Phibbs Robert S Stawski Stuart WS MacDonald Elizabeth Munoz Joshua M Smyth Martin J Sliwinski |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Health Science and Recreation, San José State University, San Jose, CA, USA;2. College of Public Health and Human Sciences, School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA;3. Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada;4. Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA;5. College of Health and Human Development, Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA;6. College of Health and Human Development, Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA |
| Abstract: | Objectives: Lack of social support and high levels of stress represent potentially modifiable risk factors for cognitive aging. In this study we examined the relationships between these two risk factors and response time inconsistency (RTI), or trial-to-trial variability in choice response time tasks. RTI is an early indicator of declining cognitive health, and examining the influence of modifiable psychosocial risk factors on RTI is important for understanding and promoting cognitive health during adulthood and old age. Methods: Using data from a community sample study (n = 317; Mage = 49, range = 19–83), we examined the effects of social support, including size of network and satisfaction with support, global perceived stress, and their interactions on RTI. Results: Neither size of network nor satisfaction with support was associated with RTI independent of perceived stress. Stress was positively associated with increased RTI on all tasks, independent of social support. Perceived stress did not interact with either dimension of social support to predict RTI, and perceived stress effects were invariant across age and sex. Conclusion: Perceived stress, but not social support, may be a unique and modifiable risk factor for normal and pathological cognitive aging. Discussion focuses on the importance of perceived stress and its impact on RTI in supporting cognitive health in adulthood and old age. |
| Keywords: | Response time inconsistency social support stress cognition |