Ageing and communication: Understanding the roles of cognition, speech production, and social participation

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Very limited research has addressed the potential role of cognitive abilities in speech production in older age. Research is therefore needed to advance understanding of the relationships amongst core cognitive abilities and speech production processes, and the potential impact of these abilities on healthy older adults' social interactions and communication in everyday life. The proposed research will comprise three key sub-projects: 1) a systematic review of the cognitive processes potentially impacting speech production in older age; 2) a correlational study investigating the extent to which specific cognitive abilities, such as information processing speed and executive (attentional) functioning, predict older adults' speech production abilities; and 3) a correlational study investigating the extent to which objective measures of older adults' speech production and cognitive abilities predict their self-reported social participation (e.g. social network size, hours of social activity per week) and communications in everyday life (e.g. leading conversations, keeping up with conversations, and experiences of ageist behaviours). The research findings will be disseminated to scientific audiences via conference presentations and at least three manuscripts submitted for publication. Together with our collaborator, the Scottish Older People's Assembly (SOPA), we will engage the public via press releases and a number of events throughout the life of the project. These will include science fair and SOPA Assembly presentations and workshops, and a dedicated event for up to 100 delegates at University of Strathclyde's Engage Week, to present all of the findings. The research will advance scientific understanding in the area, as well as contribute to future clinical research on acquired speech disorders. It is also aimed at helping to develop and inform interventional work for enhancing older adults' communications and quality of life.