Investigating prevalence, role of psychological distress, and biopsychosocial correlates of subjective cognitive decline in older adults with a history of mild traumatic brain injury: a secondary analysis of the Canadian longitudinal study on aging

Older adults with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) might be uniquely vulnerable to subjective cognitive decline (SCD), which can adversely impact quality of life. Leveraging data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of SCD in adults and older adults with a history of mTBI. Adults with a single, remote mTBI (n = 861; 59.13%) endorsed SCD at a similar rate to those with no head injury (n = 11,417; 56.78%). Higher psychological distress predicted SCD, whereas change in global cognitive performance from baseline to 3-year follow-up did not. Using a biopsychosocial model, being female, greater depressive symptomatology, lower levels of conscientiousness and openness to experience, and worse self-reported hearing increased the likelihood of SCD. Results provide support for the use of interventions that alleviate psychological distress and target modifiable risk factors to promote cognitive health post-mTBI.