Browsing by Author "Leathem JM"
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- ItemAdjusting for the cognitive effects of normal aging in the work placeLeathem JMCurrently 14% of people in NZ are aged 65 years or older, with that figure projected to increase to almost one million people – 25% of population - by 2026. One fifth of these people are currently in employment and this is projected to increase to 35% by 2020. By 2036, people 65+ will represent 9-15% of labour force or 240,000-500,000 of the population (Statistics NZ 2012). The largest growth will be in the next 20 years. There are a number of cognitive changes associated with increasing age. This will mean that people over 65 years will be working with attention, learning, memory and information speed that is slower or lower than in their earlier years. They will be wiser but slower. The implications for this for the work force and strategies for compensating for the changes will be illustrated through case studies.
- ItemCoin rotation task. The development of norms for New Zealand and the United StatesThornton A; Leathem JMMerits of the Coin Rotation Task √ Validated against FTT, GST, GPT √ Available, inexpensive, & easily replaceable √ Light – especially compared to other motor tasks √ Doesn't lose calibration √ Free from education effects Why is it not used more often? • Limited norms exist for the use of the task.
- ItemEveryday cognitive failures and memory compensation efforts: A selective optimization with compensation (SOC) Analysis(2013) Scheibner G; Leathem JMThe theory of Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) outlines how individuals may adapt more or less successfully to aging-related changes. Controlling for age, gender, education, and subjective health, the present study examined the relationships between cognitive failures and the SOC life management strategies. Results of this online survey (N = 409) indicated that SOC endorsement accounted for a significant reduction in each of the facets of the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (i.e., forgetfulness, distractibility, and false triggering). Additional hypotheses tested whether mood may have a moderating effect on the beneficial effects of SOC, and whether SOC endorsement may moderate individual's efforts to compensate for perceived memory impairments. Results suggest that low mood attenuates the beneficial effects that SOC has on the frequency of cognitive failures. Counter to expectations, SOC endorsement did not affect the forgetfulness/memory compensation relationship. Results are discussed in view of methodological limitations and suggestions for future research are outlined.
- ItemPractitioners' processes and attitudes involved in the diagnosis of cognitive impairment(New Zealand Psychological Society, 2014) McKinlay AR; Leathem JM; Merrick PLThe present study sought to build on the findings of Mitchell, Woodward and Hirose (2008) who first examined the subject of practitioner attitudes towards disclosure of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Australia and New Zealand. 57 New Zealand based practitioners completed an online questionnaire relating to how they reach a diagnosis of cognitive impairment and factors considered when relaying a diagnosis to a client. The findings indicate that 83% of practitioners directly labelled MCI during diagnosis disclosure. All qualitative responses were analysed using traditional content analysis. This study adds to the field of ethics and diagnostic disclosure in that it highlights what specific factors are considered when a practitioner chooses how to relay a diagnosis to their client, such as the presence of other illnesses, the specific wishes of the client and that the family should at least know if the client doesn't.
- ItemThe midlife memory programme: A multiple case study evaluation of a group-based memory programme for healthy middle-aged individualsScheibner G; Leathem JMBackground • The literature shows that significant memory decline begins during midlife which is usually defined as the period of life between of 40-65 years of age. • 40 % of middle-aged people report everyday forgetfulness (Ponds, Commissaris, & Jolles, 1997). • More than half of these people perceive their forgetfulness as a hindrance in their daily live. • 70% of individuals in this age-group have expressed worries about their increasing forgetfulness (Commissaris, Ponds, & Jolles, 1998). • Memory interventions though are usually intended for individuals who are older than 65 years of age with mild to moderate memory impairment or for people with recognised neurological conditions such as TBI.
- ItemWhat have sport and music performance taught us about test anxiety(Psychological Publishing, 2010) Tarrant RA; Leathem JM; Flett RAProfessional athletes and performing artists require peak performance at critical times, as their careers and livelihoods depend on sustained success. Likewise examination candidates aim for high levels of performance in examinations that are important to their particular educational and vocational paths. In many areas of performance where there is something of high value at stake for the performer, anxiety can increase and, at times, compromise the quality of the performance outcome. The present article comments on the four components of performance anxiety: physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioural, and three major influential factors. The four components describe the nature of performance anxiety, but can also interact to create a spiralling cycle of anxiety with the potential to impact on the performance. Three major influential factors are discussed (personality variables; experience, including preparation and performing; and situational variables). Lessons learned from investigative studies of performance anxiety in sport and music performance are discussed, and parallels drawn with test anxiety.
- Item"Where did I park my car?" How do older adults cope with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment(16/11/2011) McKinlay AR; Leathem JM; Merrick PLBackground: This presentation will background a New Zealand based research study to be conducted this year focusing on how people cope with and adjust to a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This area of research is important because as a person reaches older age, their chances of developing a certain set of age related illnesses, such as dementia and cognitive impairment increases (Larson, 2010; Coulson et al., 2005; Hughes & Heycox, 2010). At the same time, the number of adults aged 65 and over is set to increase at levels unseen in Western Society to date in coming years. By 2050, the world's population of older adults is estimated to reach over 22% in its entirety, which roughly equates to a staggering 1 and a quarter billion people (Lloyd-Sherlock, 2010). Adjusting to and coping with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment can be difficult and is comparable to receiving a diagnosis of other chronic diseases (Preston, Marshall & Bucks, 2007). Some report depression, anxiety and other psychological reactions following their dementia diagnosis (Carpenter et al., 2008). Current literature to date is divided on how people react psychologically to knowing that they have a progressive cognitive impairment, and much of the research has overlooked the issue of MCI and the associated reactions to this diagnosis.
