Executive Function and Religiosity/Spirituality in Cognitive Aging

Introduction. Various studies have found a positive relationship between religiosity/spirituality and cognition in aging; notwithstanding, there are few studies about the specific relationship between religiosity/spirituality and executive function. Aim. To analyze the association between religious/spiritual dimensions and components from executive function. Subjects and methods. 92 healthy participants were assessed (> 60 years) with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Basic, the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Duke University Religion Index and the Spirituality, Religiousness and Personal Beliefs Field from the Quality of Life instrument of the World Health Organization. Results. Executive functions were negatively correlated with organizational religiosity (r=-0.24; p=0.02), most notably the component 'conceptualization' (r=-0.21; p=0.05). Executive functions were also negatively correlated with spiritual dimension 'hope and optimism' (r=-0.21; p=0.05), in particular the 'inhibitory control' (r=-0.26; p=0.01). Conclusion. Participation in religious meetings is negatively associated with executive functions in healthy aging.