| Abstract [eng] |
As societies age, age-related changes in cognitive abilities are becoming an increasingly relevant scientific and practical issue. Research indicates that there are individual differences in cognitive trajectories during ageing. Although these changes are most often associated with genetic factors, education, or professional activity, an increasing number of studies also emphasize the importance of lifestyle and personality traits. However, research examining these factors remains limited, and existing findings are often inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between education, lifestyle, and personality traits with cognitive abilities in older adults, taking into account cross-cultural context, the role of potential control variables, and examining the hypothesis that lifestyle serves as a mediating factor between education, personality traits, and cognitive abilities. The results showed that sociodemographic and health factors, as well as personality and lifestyle variables, significantly predict cognitive abilities, and that lifestyle partially mediates these relationships. The findings also revealed that cognitive abilities in older adults differ significantly between European countries, indicating that national context may be related to cognitive functioning. These results make a valuable contribution to the current field of cognitive ageing research and offer guidance for future studies, as well as practical recommendations for health professionals, policymakers, and individuals aiming to maintain optimal cognitive functioning in later life. |
