Memory compensation in older adults: the role of health, emotion regulation, and trait mindfulness.

OBJECTIVES The current study examined associations between everyday memory compensation and 3 person-level resource domains (i.e., health, emotion regulation, and trait mindfulness) in older adults. METHOD In this cross-sectional study, 89 healthy, community-dwelling older adults (ages 51-85 years) completed the multidimensional Memory Compensation Questionnaire, along with measures of self-reported health status, emotion regulation strategies, and trait mindfulness. RESULTS Hierarchical regressions (covarying for age, gender, and education) showed that poorer mental health (especially for older adults) and physical health functioning were related to using compensatory strategies (e.g., reliance on others and investment of time and effort) more frequently. Cognitive reappraisers reported using more internal mnemonic strategies. Conversely, having a more mindful predisposition was associated with less frequent use of compensatory strategies, especially for middle-aged adults. DISCUSSION The results suggest that health-related quality of life, adaptive strategies to regulate emotions, and trait mindfulness are additional contexts that determine the degree of engagement in everyday memory compensation and ultimately to successful aging.