A Structural Equation Model for Understanding the Relationship between Cognitive Reserve, Autonomy, Depression and Quality of Life in Aging

Maria Gattuso (), Stefania Butti, Inaihá Laureano Benincá, Andrea Greco, Michela Di Trani and Francesca Morganti
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Maria Gattuso: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Stefania Butti: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Inaihá Laureano Benincá: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Andrea Greco: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Michela Di Trani: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Francesca Morganti: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: In recent years, aging has become a focal point of scientific research and health policies due to the growing demographic trend of an aging worldwide population. Understanding the protective and risk factors that influence aging trajectories is crucial for designing targeted interventions that support healthy aging and improve people’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between variables of aging. A total of 103 Italian participants (55–75 years old) underwent multidimensional assessments that covered cognitive, functional, emotional, and quality of life dimensions. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and elucidate the relationships between depression, quality of life, cognitive reserve, executive functions, and daily autonomy. The findings revealed that a higher quality of life was associated with reduced depressive symptoms. In addition, cognitive reserve emerged as a protective factor positively correlated with both quality of life and daily autonomy. In this study, quality of life was determined using physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains. Identifying the significant relationships between these variables in a sample of late adults and young-aged people has given us useful elements for designing psycho-educational interventions that can be aimed at preventing frailty in later old age or supporting healthy longevity.

Keywords: aging; health; quality of life; depression; cognitive reserve; SEM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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