Do negative affect characteristics and subjective memory concerns increase risk for late life anxiety?

Highlights • Older adults commonly experience anxiety, yet little is known about risk factors. • A risk model for the development of late-life anxiety was tested. • A latent growth curve model that included negative affect, cognitive functioning, their interaction, and subjective memory concerns fit the data acceptably. • When participants anxiety fears were high, stronger cognitive functioning predicted less anxiety symptoms. • Implications for predicting and preventing late-life anxiety are discussed.