Relationships between cognitive characteristics of the job, age, and cognitive efficiency

The study is based on the assumption that some types of cognitive experience (especially mental stimulation) that take place during working life may moderate age-related cognitive decline or dysfunctions and thus maintain work ability. This hypothesis was tested by using data taken from the cross-sectional phase of the VISAT study (Aging, Health and Work, Marquie et al., 2002). The sample included 3237 wage earners from both genders, aged from 32 years to 62 years at the time of the first measurement and working in a wide range of jobs in various socio-professional categories. The data included detailed information on working conditions and an assessment of cognitive efficiency (immediate and delayed memory, processing speed and attention). Preliminary results based on multiple linear regression analyses showed a significant and positive relationship between work-related cognitive stimulation and cognitive performances, even after statistical control of possible confusing factors including educational level, gender and a score of the workers' participation in cognitively stimulating activities outside of work hours. However, farther analyses of longitudinal data should provide more decisive arguments about the direction of the causal relationship between cognitive stimulation and cognitive efficiency. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.