The Relationship Between 10-Year Changes in Cognitive Control Beliefs and Cognitive Performance in Middle and Later Adulthood

Objectives The present study used a cross-lagged panel design with longitudinal data to test if there is a reciprocal relationship between cognitive control beliefs and cognition (e.g., executive functioning and episodic memory) over 10-years, whether frequency of engaging in stimulating cognitive activities mediated this relationship, and if these relationships varied by age. Methods Data were collected as part of the second (M2, 2004-05) and third (M3, 2013-14) waves of the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS). The analysis sample included 2,532 participants with all variables at M2 and M3. Participants’ ages ranged from 33 to 83 (M=54.92, SD=11.13) at M2. Results There was a reciprocal relationship between cognitive control beliefs and executive functioning. Higher executive functioning was related to greater maintenance of cognitive control beliefs for older, not younger, adults. Higher cognitive control beliefs were related to less decline in executive functioning. Though cognitive control beliefs predicted 10-year changes in episodic memory, the inverse relationship was not supported. Frequency of engaging in stimulating cognitive activities mediated the relationship between executive functioning and 10-year changes in cognitive control beliefs, but not cognitive control beliefs and 10-year changes in cognition. Conclusions Cognitive control beliefs are a promising mechanism to help protect against age-related declines in both executive functioning and episodic memory. Moreover, executive functioning also impacts cognitive control beliefs. Specifically, those with higher executive functioning engage more frequently in stimulating cognitive activities, which helps maintain higher cognitive control beliefs.