Self-rating and psychometric assessment of age-related changes in memory among young-elderly managers

A longitudinal study was carried out with older adults to analyze (a) the relationship between age-associated changes in memory test performance and self-ratings of memory, and (b) the correlation between these two kinds of assessment and some personality factors. The study was performed in a population of 125 ambulatory normal volunteers, homogeneous with respect to age (63 or 64 years old on entering the study), sex (males), and socioprofessional status (managers). The participants were examined at entry into the study, and again 7 years later. Results showed an age-associated decrease in memory performances, but this objective impairment was not related to self-ratings of memory. In addition, memory complaints were significantly correlated with the score on a Neurotic factor scale; however, no correlation was observed between the score on this scale and the actual age-associated memory changes. The results of this longitudinal study confirm those of previous cross-sectional studies concerning the relationship between self-rating and psychometric assessment of memory. In addition, they suggest that memory complaints by many aged individuals reflect neurotic tendencies more than actual age-related impairment in memory.