Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T12:53:51.519Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Personality and Psychological Health in Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

Francis Clément ,
Sylvie Belleville ,
Sara Bélanger  and
Véronique Chassé
Francis Clément
Affiliation:
Research Center, Institut Universitaire de Gériatre de Montréal and Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal
Sylvie Belleville*
Affiliation:
Research Center, Institut Universitaire de Gériatre de Montréal and Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal
Sara Bélanger
Affiliation:
Research Center, Institut Universitaire de Gériatre de Montréal and Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal
Véronique Chassé
Affiliation:
Research Center, Institut Universitaire de Gériatre de Montréal and Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal
*
†Correspondence to: / Correspondance à : Sylvie Belleville, Ph.D. Research Center, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal 4565 Queen Mary, Montreal, H3W 1W5 Quebec, CANADA Tel: 514-340-3540 ext 4779 Fax: 514-340-3548 ([email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

An increasing number of studies have documented the cognitive profile of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but few studies have investigated the individuals’ psychological health and personality traits or how these factors interact with cognition. In the present study, 27 healthy older adults and 30 persons with MCI completed questionnaires covering psychological health, morale, personality, self-efficacy, and self-actualization. The results indicated that individuals with MCI are more depressed, anxious, hostile, and have lower morale than matched healthy older adults. Furthermore, our results show a positive association between the level of depression of MCI persons and the severity of their cognitive dysfunctions. In contrast, there were no group differences on measures of personality traits. Thus, while psychological distress is present in persons with MCI, those individuals are not characterized by differences in personality traits relative to older adults who experience no cognitive impairment.

Résumé

Plusieurs études ont documenté le profil cognitif des individus ayant un trouble cognitif léger (TCL), mais très peu se sont intéressées à leur santé psychologique et à leurs traits de personnalité ainsi qu’aux interactions entre ces facteurs et la cognition. Dans cette étude, 27 personnes âgées saines et 30 personnes ayant un TCL ont été soumises à une évaluation neuropsychologique et ont rempli des questionnaires portant sur la santé psychologique, le bien-être, la personnalité, l’auto-efficacité et l’auto-actualisation. Les résultats indiquent que les individus ayant un TCL sont plus déprimés, anxieux, hostiles et ont moins de bien-être que ce que rapporte un groupe de personnes âgées sans trouble de cognition. De plus, nos résultats révèlent une association positive entre le niveau de dépression des personnes ayant un TCL et la sévérité de leurs atteintes cognitives. En revanche, aucune différence n’est observée entre les groupes sur les échelles de personnalité. Ainsi, alors que la détresse psychologique est présente chez les personnes ayant un TCL, celles-ci ne montrent pas de différence de traits de personnalité par rapport aux personnes âgées n’éprouvant pas de troubles cognitifs.

Keywords

maladie d’AlzheimerdépressionanxiétécognitionneuropsychologieAlzheimer’s diseasedepressionanxietycognitionneuropsychology
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 147 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

*

The authors report no conflicts of interest. This study was supported by a grant from the REPAR/FRSQ and from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to Sylvie Belleville. Furthermore, Sylvie Belleville was supported by a Chercheur national fellowship from the Fond de la Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ), Francis Clément was supported by a scholarship from the Fond Québécois de la Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies (FQRNT); Sara Bélanger, by a doctoral scholarship from FRSQ and from the Alzheimer Society of Canada, and Véronique Chassé by a doctoral scholarship from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). We thank Anne Guérette and Lise Gagnon for their participation in the earlier part of this project, Dr. Serge Gauthier for referring the participants, Émilie Lepage for the neuropsychological evaluation of the participants, and Luke Henry and Janet Boseovski for editorial assistance.

References

Aitken, L., Simpson, S., & Burns, A. (1999). Personality change in dementia. International Psychogeriatrics, 11(3), 263–271.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Arnold, S.E., Hyman, B.T., Flory, J., Damasio, A.R., & Van Hoesen, G.W. (1991). The topographical and neuroanatomical distribution of neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques in the cerebral cortex of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Cerebral Cortex, 1(1), 103–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Belleville, S. (2008). Cognitive training for persons with mild cognitive impairment. International Psychogeriatrics, 20(1), 57–66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Booth, J.E., Schinka, J.A., Brown, L.M., Mortimer, J.A., & Borenstein, A.R. (2006). Five-factor personality dimensions, mood states, and cognitive performance in older adults. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 28(5), 676–683.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boyer, R., Préville, M., Légaré, G., & Valois, P. (1993). La détresse psychologique dans la population du Québec non institutionnalisée: résulats normatifs de l'enquête Santé Québec. Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie, 38, 339–343.Google Scholar
Braak, H., & Braak, E. (1991). Neuropathological stageing of Alzheimer-related changes. Acta Neuropathologica (Berlin), 82(4), 239–259.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chetelat, G., Desgranges, B., De La Sayette, V., Viader, F., Eustache, F., & Baron, J.C. (2002). Mapping gray matter loss with voxel-based morphometry in mild cognitive impairment. NeuroReport, 13(15), 1939–1943.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Copeland, M.P., Daly, E., Hines, V., Mastromauro, C., Zaitchik, D., Gunther, J., et al. (2003). Psychiatric symptomatology and prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, 17(1), 1–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Desrosiers, J., Bravo, G., Hebert, R., & Dubuc, N. (1995). Reliability of the revised functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF) for epidemiological research. Age and Ageing, 24(5), 402–406.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eysenck, H.J., & Eysenck, S.B.B. (1968). Manual: Eysenck personality inventory: San Diego. CA: Educational and Industrial Testing Service.Google Scholar
Fillenbaum, G.G., & Smyer, M.A. (1981). The development, validity, and reliability of the OARS multidimensional functional assessment questionnaire. Journal of Gerontology, 36(4), 428–434.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Folstein, M.F., Folstein, S.E., & McHugh, P.R. (1975). Mini-mental state: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12(3), 189–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frank, L., Lloyd, A., Flynn, J.A., Kleinman, L., Matza, L.S., Margolis, M.K., et al. (2006). Impact of cognitive impairment on mild dementia patients and mild cognitive impairment patients and their informants. International Psychogeriatrics, 18(1), 151–162.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gabryelewicz, T., Styczynska, M., Pfeffer, A., Wasiak, B., Barczak, A., Luczywek, E., et al. (2004). Prevalence of major and minor depression in elderly persons with mild cognitive impairment—MADRS factor analysis. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(12), 1168–1172.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gauthier, S., Reisberg, B., Zaudig, M., Petersen, R.C., Ritchie, K., Broich, K., et al. (2006). Mild cognitive impairment. Lancet, 367(9518), 1262–1270.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hachinski, V.C., Iliff, L.D., Zilka, E., et al. (1975). Cerebral blood flow in dementia. Archives of Neurology, 32, 317–320.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hwang, T.J., Masterman, D.L., Ortiz, F., Fairbanks, L.A., & Cummings, J.L. (2004). Mild cognitive impairment is associated with characteristic neuropsychiatric symptoms. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, 18(1), 17–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Illfeld, F.W. (1976). Further validation of a psychiatric symptom index in a normal population. Psychological Report, 39, 1215–1228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacomb, P.A., & Jorm, A.F. (1996). Personality change in dementia of the Alzheimer type. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 11, 201–207.3.0.CO;2-N>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jelicic, M., Bosma, H., Ponds, R.W., Van Boxtel, M.P., Houx, P.J., & Jolles, J. (2003). Neuroticism does not affect cognitive functioning in later life. Experimental Aging Research, 29(1), 73–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jorm, A.F., Mackinnon, A.J., Christensen, H., Henderson, S., Scott, R., & Korten, A. (1993). Cognitive functioning and neuroticism in an elderly community sample. Personality and Individual Differences, 15(6), 721–723.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kumar, R., Parslow, R.A., Jorm, A.F., Rosenman, S.J., Maller, J., Meslin, C., et al. (2006). Clinical and neuroimaging correlates of mild cognitive impairment in a middle-aged community sample: The personality and total health through life 60+ study. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 21(1), 44–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawton, M.P. (1975). The Philadelphia geriatric center morale scale: A revision. Journal of Gerontology, 30(1), 85–89.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leclerc, G., Lefrançois, R., Dubé, M., Hébert, R., & Gaulin, P. (1998). Manuel d’utilisation de la mesure de l’actualisation du potentiel: Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke.Google Scholar
Li, Y.S., Meyer, J.S., & Thornby, J. (2001). Longitudinal follow-up of depressive symptoms among normal versus cognitively impaired elderly. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16(7), 718–727.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lopez, O.L., Becker, J.T., & Sweet, R.A. (2005). Non-cognitive symptoms in mild cognitive impairment subjects. Neurocase, 11(1), 65–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lopez, O.L., Jagust, W.J., Dulberg, C., Becker, J.T., DeKosky, S.T., Fitzpatrick, A., et al. (2003). Risk factors for mild cognitive impairment in the cardiovascular health study cognition study: Part 2. Archives of Neurology, 60(10), 1394–1399.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lyketsos, C.G., Lopez, O., Jones, B., Fitzpatrick, A.L., Breitner, J., & DeKosky, S. (2002). Prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and mild cognitive impairment: Results from the cardiovascular health study. Journal of the American Medical Association, 288(12), 1475–1483.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mattis, S. (1976). Mental status examination for organic mental syndrome in the elderly patient. In Bellak, L. & Karasu, T.B. (Eds.), Geriatric psychiatry. New York: Grune & Stratton.Google Scholar
Meier, B., Perrig-Chiello, P., & Perrig, W. (2002). Personality and memory in old age. Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition, 9(2), 135–144.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meins, W., & Dammast, J. (2000). Do personality traits predict the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease? International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15(2), 120–124.3.0.CO;2-7>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Modrego, P.J., & Ferrandez, J. (2004). Depression in patients with mild cognitive impairment increases the risk of developing dementia of Alzheimer type: A prospective cohort study. Archives of Neurology, 61(8), 1290–1293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pennanen, C., Testa, C., Laakso, M.P., Hallikainen, M., Helkala, E.L., Hanninen, T., et al. (2005). A voxel based morphometry study on mild cognitive impairment. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 76(1), 11–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Petersen, R.C., Doody, R., Kurz, A., Mohs, R.C., Morris, J.C., Rabins, P.V., et al. (2001). Current concepts in mild cognitive impairment. Archives of Neurology, 58(12), 1985–1992.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Petersen, R.C., Smith, G.E., Waring, S.C., Ivnik, R.J., Tangalos, E.G., & Kokmen, E. (1999). Mild cognitive impairment: Clinical characterization and outcome. Archives of Neurology, 56(3), 303–308.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Petry, S., Cummings, J.L., Hill, M.A., & Shapira, J. (1989). Personality alterations in dementia of the Alzheimer type: A three-year follow-up study. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 2(4), 203–207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Préville, M., Boyer, R., Potvin, L., Perrault, C., & Légaré, G. (1992). La détresse psychologique: Détermination de la fiabilité et de la validité de la mesure utilisée dans l’enquête santé québec. Enquête santé québec 1987+. (Vol. Cahier de Recherche No 7): Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux Gouvernement du Québec.Google Scholar
Regard, M. (1981). Cognitive rigidity and flexibility: A neuropsychological study. University of Victoria, Canada.Google Scholar
Rey, A. (1959). Test de copie d’une figure complexe: Manuel. Paris: Les éditions du centre de psychologie appliquée.Google Scholar
Robert, P.H., Berr, C., Volteau, M., Bertogliati, C., Benoit, M., Sarazin, M., et al. (2006). Apathy in patients with mild cognitive impairment and the risk of developing dementia of Alzheimer’s disease: A one-year follow-up study. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 108(8), 733–736.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Roberts, B.W., & DelVecchio, W.F. (2000). The rank-order consistency of personality traits from childhood to old age: A quantitative review of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 126(1), 3–25.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schwarzer, R. (1994). Generalized self-efficacy: Assessment of a personal coping resource [German]. Diagnostica, 40(2), 105–123.Google Scholar
Small, B.J., Hertzog, C., Hultsch, D.F., & Dixon, R.A. (2003). Stability and change in adult personality over 6 years: Findings from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 58(3), P166–P176.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Steunenberg, B., Beekman, A.T., Deeg, D.J., & Kerkhof, A.J. (2006). Personality and the onset of depression in late life. Journal of Affective Disorders, 92(2–3), 243–251.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Strauss, M.E., & Pasupathi, M. (1994). Primary caregivers’ descriptions of Alzheimer patients’ personality traits: Temporal stability and sensitivity to change. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, 8(3), 166–176.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tabachnick, B.G., & Fidell, L.S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics. (Pearson Educatoin ed.). Boston.Google Scholar
Talassi, E., Cipriani, G., Bianchetti, A., & Trabucchi, M. (2007). Personality changes in Alzheimer’s disease. Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), 526–531.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van den Heuvel, N., Smits, C.H., Deeg, D.J., & Beekman, A.T. (1996). Personality: A moderator of the relation between cognitive functioning and depression in adults aged 55-85? Journal of Affective Disorders, 41(3), 229–240.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van der Linden, M., Adam, S., Agniel, A., Baisset-Mouly, C., Bardet, F., Coyette, F., et al. (2004). L’évaluation de troubles de la mémoire: Présentation de quatre tests de mémoire épisodique (avec étalonnage). Marseille: Solal.Google Scholar
Van der Linden, M., Wijns, C., Von Frenkell, R., Coyette, F., & Seron, X. (1989). Un questionnaire d’auto-évaluation de la mémoire (qam). Bruxelles: Editest.Google Scholar
Whitwell, J.L., Przybelski, S.A., Weigand, S.D., Knopman, D.S., Boeve, B.F., Petersen, R.C., et al. (2007). 3D maps from multiple MRI illustrate changing atrophy patterns as subjects progress from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. Brain, 130(Pt 7), 1777–1786.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yesavage, J.A. (1988). Geriatric depression scale. Psychopharmacological Bulletin, 24(4), 709–711.Google ScholarPubMed