The research, published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, tracked over 10,000 adults aged 50 and above in the UK over 16 years. It found that individuals who reported higher levels of wellbeing were more likely to perform better in memory tests over time.

Led by a team of researchers from the UK, US, and Spain, including Dr Dorina Cadar and Georgia Bell from BSMS and Dr Darya Gaysina from the School of Psychology at the University of Sussex, the study suggests that psychological wellbeing – including a sense of purpose, autonomy, and control – may play a small but significant role in maintaining brain health. Crucially, the link between wellbeing and memory performance was independent of depressive symptoms. 

Better wellbeing, better memory

Participants in the study, all of whom were free of dementia at the start, were assessed on their memory and self-rated wellbeing every two years between 2002 and 2018 as part of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Memory was tested through word recall tasks, while wellbeing was measured using a quality-of-life questionnaire. 

Lead author Dr Amber John, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Liverpool and Alzheimer’s Research UK Fellow, explained: “Our findings are important in proposing that good wellbeing predates better memory. If future research shows this relationship is causal, it could mean that improving psychological wellbeing might help protect memory as we age.”

Insights into brain health and ageing

The researchers note that while memory did not appear to influence later wellbeing, the reverse was true. Co-author Professor Joshua Stott from UCL said the findings mark “an important step toward understanding the interplay between wellbeing and memory over time.”

They emphasised that biological, lifestyle and social factors – such as physical activity, social engagement, and mental health – all contribute to brain ageing, and that enhancing wellbeing could be a valuable part of preventing cognitive decline and even dementia. 

Dr Dorina Cadar, Reader in Neuroepidemiology and Dementia at BSMS, added: “This study adds valuable evidence to the growing recognition that psychological wellbeing plays a vital role in preserving memory and cognitive health as we age. While much research has focused on the risks of poor mental health, these findings highlight the protective potential of psychological wellbeing over a long period of follow-up (16 years), even before cognitive decline sets in. People can take simple yet meaningful actions to enhance their wellbeing, such as staying socially connected, engaging in purposeful activities, staying physically active, and practising mindfulness or gratitude. These everyday habits may offer long-term benefits for brain health and should be a key part of any healthy ageing strategy.”

Observational but impactful

Although the study does not establish cause and effect, it provides compelling evidence to support further research. As Emma Taylor from Alzheimer’s Research UK noted:

“This study found that people over 50 who felt happier and more fulfilled in life had a better memory over time. While more work is needed, it underlines how looking after our mental wellbeing plays a vital role in protecting brain health.”

The full study is available via Taylor & Francis Online.