Occupational Self-direction and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to analyze the association between occupational self-direction and cognitive performance in a population of normal older adults. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional correlational study. The sample consisted of 50 normal older adults, evaluated with the following tests: sociodemographic Questionnaire, Questionnaire of occupational self-direction and a battery of neuropsychological tests that explore: verbal episodic memory, attention, language and executive functions. Results: The results reveal: a positive association between occupational Complexity of Work with data and people with respect to Verbal abilities and abstract reasoning. While when analyzing the occupational Complexity with Things, a negative association with logical Memory and Verbal skills was observed. as for the dependence-independence of work activity and routine-novelty, both were positively correlated with semantic Fluency. Discussion: in agreement with other studies it can be pointed out that the development of intellectually more complex work activities, particularly those that involve working with data and people, tend to be associated with a better performance in some cognitive areas, forming a stronger cognitive reserve. The present study adds empirical evidence of interest to clinic and healthy aging research.