@article{neupert_ennis_ramsey_gall_2015, title={Solving Tomorrow’s Problems Today? Daily Anticipatory Coping and Reactivity to Daily Stressors}, volume={71}, ISSN={1079-5014 1758-5368}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbv003}, DOI={10.1093/geronb/gbv003}, abstractNote={OBJECTIVES
The present study examined the day-to-day fluctuation of state-like anticipatory coping (coping employed prior to stressors) and how these coping processes relate to important outcomes for older adults (i.e., physical health, affect, memory failures).


METHOD
Forty-three older adults aged 60-96 (M = 74.65, SD = 8.19) participated in an 8-day daily diary study of anticipatory coping, stressors, health, affect, and memory failures. Participants reported anticipatory coping behaviors on one day with respect to 6 distinct stressor domains that could occur the following day.


RESULTS
Multilevel models indicated that anticipatory coping changes from day to day and within stressor domains. Lagged associations suggested that yesterday's anticipatory coping for potential upcoming arguments is related to today's physical health and affect. Increased stagnant deliberation is associated with reduced cognitive reactivity (i.e., fewer memory failures) to arguments the next day.


DISCUSSION
Taken together, these findings suggest that anticipatory coping is dynamic and associated with important daily outcomes.}, number={4}, journal={The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Neupert, Shevaun D. and Ennis, Gilda E. and Ramsey, Jennifer L. and Gall, Agnes A.}, year={2015}, month={Feb}, pages={650–660} }
 @article{hess_queen_ennis_2013, title={Age and Self-Relevance Effects on Information Search During Decision Making}, volume={68}, ISSN={["1758-5368"]}, DOI={10.1093/geronb/gbs108}, abstractNote={OBJECTIVES
We investigated how information search strategies used to support decision making were influenced by self-related implications of the task to the individual. Consistent with the notion of selective engagement, we hypothesized that increased self-relevance would result in more adaptive search behaviors and that this effect would be stronger in older adults than in younger adults.


METHOD
We examined search behaviors in 79 younger and 81 older adults using a process-tracing procedure with 2 different decision tasks. The impact of motivation (i.e., self-related task implications) was examined by manipulating social accountability and the age-related relevance of the task.


RESULTS
Although age differences in search strategies were not great, older adults were more likely than younger adults to use simpler strategies in contexts with minimal self-implications. Contrary to expectations, young and old alike were more likely to use noncompensatory than compensatory strategies, even when engaged in systematic search, with education being the most important determinant of search behavior.


DISCUSSION
The results support the notion that older adults are adaptive decision makers and that factors other than age may be more important determinants of performance in situations where knowledge can be used to support performance.}, number={5}, journal={JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES}, author={Hess, Thomas M. and Queen, Tara L. and Ennis, Gilda E.}, year={2013}, month={Sep}, pages={703–711} }
 @article{ennis_hess_smith_2013, title={The Impact of Age and Motivation on Cognitive Effort: Implications for Cognitive Engagement in Older Adulthood}, volume={28}, ISSN={["0882-7974"]}, DOI={10.1037/a0031255}, abstractNote={We examined age differences in the effort required to perform the basic cognitive operations needed to achieve a specified objective outcome, and how hypothesized increases in effort requirements in later life are related to intrinsic motivation associated with enjoyment of and participation in effortful cognitive activities. Young (N = 59; 20-40 years) and older (N = 57; 64-85 years) adults performed a memory-search task varying in difficulty across trials, with systolic blood pressure responsivity-calculated as the increase over baseline during task performance-used as a measure of effort expenditure and task engagement. Consistent with expectations, older adults exhibited greater levels of responsivity (i.e., effort) at all levels of objective task difficulty, and this increase was reflected in subjective perceptions of difficulty. Older adults also exhibited greater levels of disengagement (i.e., effort withdrawal) than younger adults at higher levels of task difficulty, conceivably reflecting the disproportionately greater effort required for successful performance in the former group. We also found that, relative to younger adults, older adults' engagement was more sensitive to the importance attached to the task (i.e., motivation to do well). Finally, we also obtained evidence that increased costs associated with cognitive engagement in later life were negatively associated with intrinsic levels of motivation to engage in effortful cognitive activity. The results support the general conclusion that the costs of cognitive activity increase with age in adulthood, and that these costs influence individuals' willingness to engage resources in support of demanding cognitive activities.}, number={2}, journal={PSYCHOLOGY AND AGING}, author={Ennis, Gilda E. and Hess, Thomas M. and Smith, Brian T.}, year={2013}, month={Jun}, pages={495–504} }
 @article{hess_ennis_2012, title={Age Differences in the Effort and Costs Associated With Cognitive Activity}, volume={67}, ISSN={["1758-5368"]}, DOI={10.1093/geronb/gbr129}, abstractNote={OBJECTIVES
We tested the hypothesis that aging is associated with an increase in the effort and costs associated with cognitive activity using systolic blood pressure (SBP) as a measure of effort.


METHOD
Younger and older adults engaged in an initial task (Phase 1) for 5 min that was relatively low (adding single digits) or high (subtracting by 3 s) in cognitive demands. They then solved a series of multiplication problems for 3 min (Phase 2). Cardiovascular measures were collected throughout, and reactivity was examined as a function of age, initial task difficulty, and test phase.


RESULTS
Older adults exhibited higher levels of reactivity than younger adults to cognitive engagement, with reactivity increasing with task difficulty. Difficulty of the initial task was also associated with greater effort and lower performance on the subsequent multiplication task, suggestive of fatigue or depletion. These fatigue effects were stronger for older adults.


DISCUSSION
The results were consistent with expectations and provided support for the utility of SBP reactivity as a measure of cognitive effort in studies of aging.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES}, author={Hess, Thomas M. and Ennis, Gilda E.}, year={2012}, month={Jul}, pages={447–455} }
 @article{queen_hess_ennis_dowd_gruehn_2012, title={Information Search and Decision Making: Effects of Age and Complexity on Strategy Use}, volume={27}, ISSN={["0882-7974"]}, DOI={10.1037/a0028744}, abstractNote={The impact of task complexity on information search strategy and decision quality was examined in a sample of 135 young, middle-aged, and older adults. We were particularly interested in the competing roles of fluid cognitive ability and domain knowledge and experience, with the former being a negative influence and the latter being a positive influence on older adults' performance. Participants utilized 2 decision matrices, which varied in complexity, regarding a consumer purchase. Using process tracing software and an algorithm developed to assess decision strategy, we recorded search behavior, strategy selection, and final decision. Contrary to expectations, older adults were not more likely than the younger age groups to engage in information-minimizing search behaviors in response to increases in task complexity. Similarly, adults of all ages used comparable decision strategies and adapted their strategies to the demands of the task. We also examined decision outcomes in relation to participants' preferences. Overall, it seems that older adults utilize simpler sets of information primarily reflecting the most valued attributes in making their choice. The results of this study suggest that older adults are adaptive in their approach to decision making and that this ability may benefit from accrued knowledge and experience.}, number={4}, journal={PSYCHOLOGY AND AGING}, publisher={American Psychological Association (APA)}, author={Queen, Tara L. and Hess, Thomas M. and Ennis, Gilda E. and Dowd, Keith and Gruehn, Daniel}, year={2012}, month={Dec}, pages={817–824} }