Unveiling the Connection Between Openness, Cognitive Functioning, and Cognitive Reserve

A four-year longitudinal study in Spain found that individuals with a higher degree of openness to experience exhibited a more substantial cognitive reserve, which was correlated with improved cognitive functioning in elderly individuals. The study suggests that cognitive reserve may mediate the relationship between openness to experience and cognitive functioning, highlighting the importance of engaging in mentally stimulating activities to mitigate cognitive decline in old age. However, the study's findings may not be generalizable to the broader population as the participants were self-selected older adults enrolled in a university.