Updating the positivity bias in older adults: How do subjective memory complaints influence emotional distraction in a working memory task?

Provost, A., Descoteaux, A., Rigoulot, S. et Boller, B. (2025). Updating the positivity bias in older adults: How do subjective memory complaints influence emotional distraction in a working memory task? Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 47 (5). pp. 422-435. ISSN 1380-3395 1744-411X DOI 10.1080/13803395.2025.2553592

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Résumé

Abstract

Introduction
Subjective memory complaints (SMCs), commonly reported by older adults, refer to self-perceived difficulties with memory. While the link between SMCs and objective cognitive decline remains unclear, SMCs may reflect subtle cognitive changes, particularly in working memory, which is known to be influenced by emotional context. Older adults typically display a positivity bias, which is a tendency to focus more on and better remember positive over negative information. However, the positivity bias has yet to be explored in individuals with SMCs. This study aims to address this gap by examining how emotional distractors affect working memory performance in older adults with varying levels of SMCs.

Method
Forty-seven older adults (ages 55?79) were categorized into low and high SMCs groups based on self-reported memory complaints. Participants completed an emotional n-back task with three levels of cognitive load (0-back, 1-back, 2-back) and emotional distractors (positive, negative, neutral). Task performance was measured using accuracy, response bias, and reaction times. Mixed-design ANOVAs were conducted, with cognitive load, emotional condition, and complaint group as factors.

Results
Results revealed significant main effects of cognitive load on performance, with performance declining as task demands increased. A three-way interaction between cognitive load, emotional condition, and complaint group showed that participants with high SMCs were more distracted by positive stimuli under high cognitive load, leading to decreased accuracy. In contrast, participants with low SMCs showed reduced accuracy with positive distractors under low cognitive load.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that emotional distractors, particularly positive ones, affect working memory performance differently in older adults depending on their level of SMCs. Future research should aim to uncover the mechanisms underlying theses effects.

Type de document:	Article
Mots-clés libres:	Subjective memory complaint Spositivity bias Emotional working memory N-back task Aging
Date de dépôt:	23 oct. 2025 12:11
Dernière modification:	23 oct. 2025 12:11
Version du document déposé:	Post-print (version corrigée et acceptée)
URI:	https://depot-e.uqtr.ca/id/eprint/12269

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