Correlates of adult functional memory: Findings from a British cohort

• This was a longitudinal study following over 5000 British adults for 50 years.
• Our interest was in social class, intelligence and personality correlates of memory at aged 50.
• Structural equation modelling was used to explore various relationships.
• Childhood IQ, social class, and Neuroticism, Conscientiousness and Openness were predictors.

This study used a longitudinal data set of 5874 adults to examine factors that influence adult functional memory. Data were collected at birth, in childhood (at age 11), and adulthood (at ages 23 and 50) to examine the effects of family social class, childhood cognitive ability, childhood behaviour problems, personality traits, psychological distress, and educational and occupational achievement in adulthood on adult functional memory. Structural equation modelling showed that parental social status, childhood cognitive ability, personality traits, psychological distress, education and occupation were all significant and direct predictors of adult functional memory. Whilst traits Openness and Emotional Stability were positively associated with adult functional memory, trait Conscientiousness was modestly but negatively associated with adult functional memory. The strongest predictor of adult functional memory was childhood cognitive ability, followed by trait Openness and educational achievement.