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Assessment of adult age differences in task engagement: The utility of systolic blood pressure

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Abstract

The constructs of effort and engagement are central to many theoretical frameworks associated with the study of aging. Age differences in the effort associated with effortful cognitive operations have been hypothesized to account for aging effects in ability, and shifting goals and motivation have been hypothesized to be associated with differential levels of engagement across situations in younger and older adults. Unfortunately, the assessment of effort and engagement—constructs that we view as relatively synonymous—has suffered in the field of aging due to the lack of well-validated measures. We suggest that systolic blood pressure might provide an easy and valid means for examining age differences in mental effort, and present evidence in support of its usage. Existing findings clearly support its potential utility, but further empirical and theoretical work is necessary.

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Notes

  1. In this analysis, emotionally evocative referred to a broad category of tasks defined as involving some form of active (e.g., math problems) or passive (e.g., cold pressor task) coping response. No age differences were observed, however, relating to the nature of coping.

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Acknowledgments

Writing of this article was supported by NIA Grants R01 AG05552, R01 AG020153, and R01 AG034580. Formulation of ideas presented here has been enhanced and enriched by the efforts of past and present members of the Adult Development Laboratory at North Carolina State University.

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  1. Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7650, USA

    Thomas M. Hess

  2. School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0170, USA

    Gilda E. Ennis

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Hess, T.M., Ennis, G.E. Assessment of adult age differences in task engagement: The utility of systolic blood pressure. Motiv Emot 38, 844–854 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-014-9433-2

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