Advisor(s)

Ronald Lazar

Committee Member(s)

Lloyd Edwards
Michael Crowe
Pamela Bowen

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

2-3-2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

While the field of brain aging research continues to grow at a rapid pace, there is still much to learn about how certain factors influence brain aging as well as when and how these factors can be intervened upon. Cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases continue to pose a major obstacle to healthy brain aging and the better we understand the risk factors of these diseases, the greater chance we have at mitigation strategies and prevention. Previous research has identified key factors, consisting of physical, lifestyle, and socio-emotional aspects of life, which have the greatest impact on brain aging. These factors overlap with existing risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Additionally, there is a growing body of literature suggesting that mental health and psychosocial factors play a large role, both directly and indirectly, on brain aging. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to examine the relationships of anxiety and depression with risk factors included in the McCance Brain Care Score (BCS) to assess how overall brain health is impacted. Furthermore, physical and life-style factors that contribute to brain health may be directly impacted by mental health as well as psychosocial factors. These relationships were explored to better understand if and how mental health may impede attention to personal care. This project will contribute to a better knowledge of how anxiety and depression impact behaviors that influence risk factors and begin to shed light on the importance of mental health in facilitating optimal brain health. The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationships between anxiety, depression, sleep, and stress, as well as determine how these variables influence brain health. Study participants included 154 adults (71% female, 67% Black) recruited from primary care clinics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital System. Participants reported medical history, sociodemographic history, depressive symptoms, and symptoms of anxiety, and were examined for risk factors of brain health using the BCS. Significant negative correlations were made between anxiety scores and BCS, as well as between depression scores and BCS. This result revealed that higher anxiety and depression scores were correlated with lower brain care scores. Anxiety scores were significantly higher in participants reporting an untreated sleep disorder, as well as in participants reporting perceived stress. No significant differences were seen in depression scores by sleep status; however, depression scores were significantly higher in participants reporting perceived stress. The data revealed that while higher anxiety scores were associated with lower BCS, this relationship was not moderated by depression, sleep status, or perceived stress. Similarly, higher depression scores were associated with lower BCS, but this relationship was not moderated by anxiety or perceived stress. The interaction effects of sleep status on the relationship between depression and BCS suggested a possible moderation effect. The present study reinforces the link between mood factors and risk factors of brain health, underlining the strong bi-directional relationships they hold and the consideration needed for achieving successful brain health modification. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords

anxiety;brain care score;brain health;depression;risk factors

ProQuest Publication Number

32281219

ISBN

9798276003870

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