Associative Thinking and Creative Ability in Older Adulthood

Successful problem-solving and enhanced creative ability may improve physical health, cognitive well-being, and overall independence of older adults. In general, older adults who are more creative, may be better able to cope with cognitive decline and navigate everyday tasks. While previous research on creative performance in older adulthood showed age-related stability, open questions remain regarding the specific underlying cognitive basis for this invariability across the lifespan. Mediation analyses showed that intelligence measures served as underlying cognitive mechanisms for the stability of creative thinking in older age. The broader implications of these findings provide insight into the complex relationships supporting age-related preservation in creativity.