Anxiety and Cognitive Functioning

doi:10.1017/9781139087469.008

Chapter 8 - Anxiety and Cognitive Functioning

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2021

Sherry A. Beaudreau ,

Andrew J. Petkus ,

Nathan C. Hantke and

Christine E. Gould

Edited by

Gerard J. Byrne and

Nancy A. Pachana

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Gerard J. Byrne: Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Nancy A. Pachana: Affiliation:
University of Queensland

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Summary

The past decade has witnessed a proliferation of studies examining anxiety in older populations. This research underscores how anxiety is not just an ancillary symptom of depression, but a clinical issue on its own. Not only does anxiety cause suffering in older adults, but anxious older adults also have more functional disability (Brenes et al., 2005) and a reduced quality of life (Wetherell et al., 2004) compared to non-anxious older adults. In conditions that are common in later life (i.e., poor physical health, depression), those older adults experiencing comorbid anxiety typically have greater disability compared to non-anxious adults with these conditions. Cognitive functioning and the presence of neurocognitive disorders are aspects of comorbidity that have garnered increasing research attention (Beaudreau & O’Hara, 2008). This exciting new research underscores the complexity of the relations between anxiety and cognitive functioning in older individuals.

Type: Chapter
Information: Anxiety in Older People
Clinical and Research Perspectives
, pp. 117 - 138

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139087469.008 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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