Relating Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Behavior to Cognitive Functions in Older Adults

TL;DR

This study explores how risk-taking in different life areas relates to cognitive abilities in older adults, finding links between financial risk-aversion and memory, and health risk-taking and processing speed.

Contribution

The study extends understanding of domain-specific risk-taking by linking it to distinct cognitive functions in older adults.

Findings

Financial risk-aversion was associated with better memory performance.

Health and safety risk-taking was linked to faster processing speed.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Risk taking, a crucial component of decision-making, is domain-specific. However, most literature has focused on financial risk-taking in relation to cognitive functioning. The current study investigated the association between risk-taking behaviors in five different domains and various cognitive abilities in cognitively normal older adults. Methods: Participants (mean age = 69.55 ± 7.35 years; mean education = 16.69 ± 2.19 years; 58.9% female) completed the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale (DOSPERT), consisting of financial, health, ethical, recreational, and social risk-taking questions. Cognitive performance on associative memory, verbal memory, working memory, verbal fluency, processing speed, and executive function was examined. Linear regression models adjusted for age, gender, and education level were conducted. Results: Two out of five risk-taking domains were associated with various aspects of cognition. Conclusions: Financial risk-aversion was linked to better memory, while health and safety risk-taking was linked to faster processing speed. These findings have practical implications in the context of everyday decision making.

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