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A study, published in the Journal of Women & Aging, found memory complaints were linked to negative expectations about aging in people with mild cognitive impairment as well as cognitively healthy adults.

Lead author Dr. Yvonne Leung, from ACU's School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, said people with mild cognitive impairment had more negative expectations about aging than those without.

She said the findings highlighted the close relationship between how people experienced changes in their memory and how they viewed the aging process.

Concerns about memory were closely linked to less positive views of growing older.

"Many people notice changes in their memory and quietly wonder what it means for getting older, and our findings show how closely those experiences are tied to views of aging," Leung said.

Leung said the findings show expectations about aging are not simply about attitudes toward getting older.

Previous research has linked more positive views of aging with better physical and mental health, stronger cognitive health and longer life expectancy.

"How we expect to age is linked to real outcomes," Leung said.

"More positive views of aging are associated with better physical and mental health, better cognitive health and a longer life, while negative views may lower confidence and motivation for seeking help or engaging in brain-healthy activities and raise stress."

She said those who worried more about their memory were also more likely to expect poorer health and cognitive function as they aged.

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