The Impact of Psychopathology and Psychological Well-Being on Cognitive Health

Pathological processes of cognitive ageingCognitive ageing can lead to cognitive impairment and dementiaDementia. As a global public health priority, significant attention is placed on risk reduction and prevention of dementiaDementia, particularly through the management of modifiable risk factors. Psychological factors have been identified as potential targets to delay the onset of dementiaDementia but are often underrecognized as compared to other risk factors. This chapter provides an overview of the influence of both psychological disturbances, such as depression, chronic stressStress and social isolation, and positive psychological factors, including psychological well-beingPsychological well-being, social connection, and positive self-perception of ageingAgeing, on the risk of cognitive declineCognitive decline and development of dementiaDementia. Drawing current evidence from meta-analyses, systematic reviews and epidemiological studies, longitudinal associations between psychological functioning and risk of cognitive declineCognitive decline are summarized. Mechanistic pathways underlying these associations are examined and clinical implications for early detection of psychiatric symptoms and implementation of psychosocial approaches for cognitive health are discussed.