Engagement in Cognitively Stimulating Activities Mediates the Relationship between Openness and Attention/Executive Functions, but Not Memory in Older Adults

Objective: Openness has a positive association with cognitive functioning and engagement in cognitively stimulating activities (CSA). Older adults who engage in more CSA tend to show greater preservation of their cognitive skills; thus, we examined whether: higher Openness would be associated with higher attention/executive functions (AEF) and verbal memory; and CSA would mediate the relationship between Openness and AEF, as well as verbal memory. Method: 477 community-dwelling older adults (65+ years) were included in the current cross-sectional study. Composite variables of AEF (TMT-A&B, COWAT, and DSST) and verbal memory (RBANS verbal memory subtasks) were included. Openness was assessed via the Big-5 Inventory and CSA with the Leisure Activity Questionnaire. Results: Linear regressions indicated a significant positive association between Openness and AEF (beta =.09, p <.01), but not verbal memory (beta =.06, p =.06). A significant partial mediation was demonstrated between Openness, CSA, and AEF (c: beta =.08, p <.05, 95%CI =.02-.14; c': beta =.02, 95%CI =.01-.03). The mediation of Openness, CSA, and verbal memory was not significant (c: beta =.06, p >.05, 95%CI =.01-.11; c' : beta =.00, 95%CI=-.01-.01). Conclusions: The association between Openness and AEF, but not verbal memory, was partially mediated by CSA in healthy older adults. The findings suggest that those who are more open to and highly engaged in CSA may have a later in life advantage in preserving their AEF abilities.