Neurocognitive and psychological reserves: a multifactorial approach to aging

The present thesis embodies the results of my research activities conducted at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Geriatrics, and focused on the fields of Psychogeriatrics and Psychology of Aging. Under the supervision of Prof. Antonino Catalano, the discussed research activities were developed in collaboration with Prof. Giorgio Basile, whit whom a multidimensional approach to frailty evaluation was shared, and with Prof. Maria C. Quattropani, who leads the Clinical Psychology Research Group at the Research and Psychological Intervention Center (University of Messina) and co-tutored the present thesis. The design and the development of the discussed research topics have been also enriched by the collaboration with Prof. George A. Bonanno from the Columbia University (USA), and with Dr. Francesca Morgante and Dr. Luciana Ricciardi from St. George’s University of London (UK). Prof. Bonanno provided an expert intellectual contribution to the novel investigation of psychological resilience among elderly population; Dr. Morgante and Dr. Ricciardi contributed to an accurate interpretation of the association between cognitive and physical functioning among elderly, within the theoretical framework of Cognitive Reserve. The first chapter of this thesis provides an introductory theoretical background concerning the nature of the link between cognition and physical functioning along aging trajectories, by presenting a recently published point of view. The second chapter introduces the concept of Cognitive Reserve and provides an updated state of the art on the association between Cognitive Reserve and frailty among elderly, which represents the theoretical framework of our observations. In the light of the theoretical background previously provided, the third chapter consists in the experimental section in which currently unpublished evidence on the interaction between Cognitive Reserve indexes and cognitive, physical and functional outcomes will be discussed. The fourth chapter of the present thesis will focus on the construct of psychological resilience, and our related experimental observations will additionally be presented. In this context, the association between psychological resilience factors and age-related outcomes (e.g. frailty and quality of life) among elderly represent novel topics of research. Eventually, the final chapter will provide comprehensive conclusions and clinical future implications in the light of the discussed evidence.