OBJECTIVE The current study investigated the degree to which information processing speed mediates the association between executive functioning and adaptive functioning among older adults. METHOD Cases (N = 239) were selected from a clinical database of neuropsychological evaluations. Inclusion criteria were age 60+ (M = 74.0, standard deviation = 6.9) and completion of relevant study measures. Participants were majority White (93%) women (53.1%). The Texas Functional Living Scale was used as a performance-based measure of adaptive functioning. Information processing speed was measured using the Coding subtest from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Executive functioning performance was quantified using part B of the Trail Making Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Similarities and Matrix Reasoning subtests from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, second edition. Mediation models were assessed with bootstrapped confidence intervals. RESULTS Information processing speed mediated all measures of executive functioning. Direct effects were significant for all models (ps < 0.03), suggesting that executive functioning maintained unique associations with adaptive functioning. Follow-up analyses indicated no evidence for moderation of the mediation models based on diagnostic group. Additional models with executive functioning mediating information processing speed and adaptive functioning revealed inconsistent mediation, with smaller effects. CONCLUSIONS Results highlight the importance of information processing speed in understanding real-world implications of pathological and non-pathological cognitive aging. Information processing speed mediated all relationships between executive functioning and adaptive functioning. Further investigation is warranted into the importance of processing speed in explaining associations of other cognitive domains with adaptive functioning.

中文翻译：

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老年人的适应性功能：执行功能中信息处理速度的本质。

目的 本研究调查信息处理速度在多大程度上介导老年人执行功能和适应功能之间的关联。方法 病例 (N = 239) 选自神经心理学评估的临床数据库。纳入标准为 60 岁以上（M = 74.0，标准差 = 6.9）并完成相关研究措施。参与者主要是白人 (93%) 女性 (53.1%)。德克萨斯功能生活量表被用作基于性能的适应性功能测量。信息处理速度是使用可重复电池的编码子测试来测量的，用于评估神经心理状态。使用 Trail Making 测试的 B 部分、受控口头单词联想测试、Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence 第二版中的相似点和矩阵推理分测验。使用自举置信区间评估调解模型。结果 信息处理速度调节执行功能的所有措施。所有模型的直接影响都很显着 (ps < 0.03)，这表明执行功能与适应性功能保持着独特的关联。后续分析表明没有证据表明基于诊断组的调解模型是适度的。具有执行功能调解信息处理速度和适应性功能的其他模型揭示了不一致的调解，效果较小。结论 结果突出了信息处理速度在理解病理性和非病理性认知老化的现实影响方面的重要性。信息处理速度调节执行功能和适应功能之间的所有关系。有必要进一步研究处理速度在解释其他认知领域与适应性功能的关联方面的重要性。