Overview

• The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing tracked 10,760 UK adults over 50 from 2002 to 2018 with biennial wellbeing and memory assessments.
• Those reporting higher self-rated wellbeing achieved significantly better immediate and delayed word-recall scores after accounting for depressive symptoms.
• Key wellbeing dimensions linked to stronger memory included sense of control, independence and life purpose.
• Authors propose that wellbeing-related behaviours such as increased exercise could drive the memory boost but caution that causation remains unproven.
• Researchers highlight that low psychological wellbeing may signal early cognitive impairment and suggest interventions such as mindfulness to support brain health.