Abstract

Sense of purpose has been consistently associated with cognitive function. However, less is known about the associations between the other five components of wellbeing and cognitive outcomes. The current research aimed to establish which components of wellbeing are most strongly associated with cognitive function. Participants from the Midlife in the United States study (MAge=56.18, SD=12.38) completed the Ryff Psychological Wellbeing Scales (1989) and the Brief Test of Adult Cognition. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the cross-sectional and prospective associations between wellbeing and cognitive function. All six components of wellbeing were significantly and positively associated with cognition cross-sectionally (bs=0.07-0.19). Moreover, higher levels of sense of purpose, personal growth, environmental mastery, and self-acceptance were associated with better cognitive function at nine-year follow-up when controlling for baseline cognition (bs=0.03-0.05). These findings extend past wellbeing research by demonstrating that, in addition to sense of purpose, other components of wellbeing are also associated with cognitive function and should be assessed as possible protective factors for cognitive function across the lifespan.

Committee Chair

Emily Willroth

Committee Members

Jason Hassenstab, Patrick Hill

Degree

Master of Arts (AM/MA)

Author's Department

Psychology

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 5-2025

Language

English (en)

Author's ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2393-3481

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Psychology Commons

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