Objective: A Dutch translation of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was used to measure Positive Affect (PA) and its relationship to episodic memory in a sample of Dutch adults between the ages of 40 to 82 years. Specifically, the role of PA was examined as a predictor of performance on a serial list learning task that included a recognition and free recall component.
Methods: Participants were divided into two age groupings representing middle-age (40 to 64 years) and older (65 to 82 years) adults with respect to the study sample.
Results: PA was not related to recognition performance in either age grouping. In the older age group, however, PA predicted free recall.
Conclusions: PA facilitated episodic memory in older adults when unsupported tasks conditions were present that placed heavy demands on processing resources.
Copyright 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.