The Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults and Memory Functionality: An Assessment Using Neuropsychological Tests

Year 2025, Volume: 22 Issue: 5, 1121 - 1132, 30.09.2025

Ayşe Hazal Dündar , Ali Yasin Kafes

https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1693428

Abstract

This research evaluates memory function, depression and anxiety symptoms in elderly individuals and examines the relationship between these variables. The Digit Span Test and the 10/36 Spatial Recall Test were used to evaluate memory function, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 was used to evaluate mental health. Participants were reached through Healthy Ageing and Support Centres, Public Education Courses and an easily accessible sampling method. Participants were included in the research based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The tests and questionnaires were administered by a clinical psychologist and a clinical neuropsychologist. The study sample consisted of 160 volunteer participants aged between 66 and 74. The average age of the participants was M= 68.00 (SD=2.31). The correlation analysis revealed that increasing levels of depression and anxiety were associated with decreasing memory performance. In gender comparisons, while there was no significant difference between female participants and male participants in terms of memory functionality, it was determined that female participants had higher levels of depression and anxiety than male participants. The findings of the research draw attention to the relationship between mental health and cognitive functionality. In conclusion, managing depression and anxiety in older adults is critical for preserving cognitive function. In this regard, multidisciplinary approaches are needed to develop strategies that support both the cognitive and mental health of older adults.

Keywords

older adults , memory functioning , clinical neuropsychology/neuropsychological assess-ment , mental health

Yaşlı Bireylerde Depresyon ve Anksiyetenin Bellek İşlevselliği ile İlişkisi: Nöropsikolojik Testler ile Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Bu çalışma, yaşlı bireylerde bellek işlevselliği, depresyon ve anksiyete belirtilerini değerlendirmekte olup bu değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektedir. Çalışmada, bellek işlevselliğini değerlendirmek için Sayı Dizisi Testi ve 10/36 Uzamsal Geri Çağırma Testi, ruh sağlığını değerlendirmek için Depresyon, Anksiyete ve Stres Ölçeği-21 kullanılmıştır. Katılımcılara, Sağlıklı Yaş Alma ve Dayanışma Merkezleri, Halk Eğitim Kursları ve kolay ulaşılabilir örneklem yöntemi ile ulaşılmıştır. Dahil olma ve dışlama kriterleri dikkate alınarak bireyler çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Test ve anketler, klinik psikolog ve klinik nöropsikolog tarafından uygulanmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemi, 66 ile 74 yaş arası 160 gönüllü katılımcıdır. Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması M= 68.00 (SS=2.31)’dir. Yapılan korelasyon analizi sonucu, artan depresyon ve anksiyete düzeylerinin azalan bellek performansı ile ilişkili olduğu bulunmuştur. Cinsiyetler arası karşılaştırmalarda, bellek işlevselliği açısından kadınlar ve erkekler arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmazken, kadınların erkeklere kıyasla daha yüksek depresyon ve anksiyete düzeylerine sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları, ruh sağlığı ile bilişsel işlevsellik arasındaki ilişkiye dikkat çekmektedir. Sonuç olarak, yaşlılık döneminde depresyon ve anksiyetenin yönetilmesi, bilişsel işlevlerin korunması açısından kritik bir öneme sahiptir. Bu doğrultuda, multidisipliner yaklaşımlar ile yaşlı bireylerin hem bilişsel hem de ruhsal sağlıklarını destekleyici stratejiler geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir.

Keywords

yaşlı bireyler , bellek işlevselliği , klinik nöropsikoloji/nöropsikolojik değerlendirme , ruh sağlığı.

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