Working memory, control of interference and everyday experience of thought interference: when age makes the difference

Background and aims: A number of studies suggest that age differences in working memory may be attributed to age-related differences in inhibitory efficacy. Nevertheless, little is known about the impact of intrusive thoughts, which occurs in everyday situations on working memory performance. This study investigates the role of cognitive and everyday inhibition mechanisms in working memory performance. Methods: Young, young old and old-old adults performed a working memory task and the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI). Results: Results showed a decrease in working memory, and in inhibitory efficacy with age. In addition, old-old adults obtained higher scores in the three factors of the WBSI. Working memory performance was related to working memory control of interfering information in all age groups, and also to the tendency to suppress thoughts in old-old adults. The latter result was in the opposite direction with respect to observations collected with younger adults. Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggest the crucial role of intrusive thoughts in the functional capacity of working memory in late adulthood.