Perceptions of XXXX are more important in predicting distress in older adults with subjective memory complaints than coping strategies.

@entity1 @entity308 @entity458 @entity148 @entity2414
BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) amongst older adults, many of whom experience significant distress. It remains unclear why some older adults with SMCs experience more distress than others. The Common Sense Model of Illness Perceptions has been used to explain @entity1 ' differential response to illness based on the beliefs they hold about their illness and subsequent selection of coping strategies. The present study aimed to examine the role of perceptions and coping styles in predicting @entity148 and @entity308 in older adults with SMCs. METHODS: 98 @entity1 with SMCs completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire for @entity2414 (IPQ-M), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), Geriatric @entity308 Scale (GDS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the contribution of illness perceptions and coping to the explanation of variance in @entity308 and @entity148 . RESULTS: Perceptions of SMCs were found to predict both @entity308 and @entity148 while coping strategies did not. Perceptions of serious consequences of SMCs and causal attributions predicted greater @entity308 , while attribution of @entity2414 to lack of blood to the brain was the only predictor of increased @entity148 . CONCLUSIONS: Illness perceptions predicted @entity308 and @entity148 in older adults with SMCs. Contrary to the Common-Sense Model coping style was not found to be an important determinant of @entity458 . The findings provide a basis for developing interventions to reduce @entity458 in older adults with subjective memory complaints. Targeting causal attributions and perceived consequences of SMCs may help to improve well-being.
