Association Between Anxiety, Memory Loss, and Quality of Life Among Adults Aged 40–55 Years

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is a common psychological condition that may adversely affect cognitive functioning and perceived well-being, particularly in adults experiencing increasing psychosocial and functional demands. Memory complaints and reduced quality of life are frequently reported in individuals with emotional distress, yet their combined relationship in middle adulthood remains insufficiently explored. Objective: To determine the association of anxiety with memory loss and to examine its impact on quality of life among adults aged 40 to 55 years. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 154 participants recruited through convenience sampling from community, educational, and workplace settings in Punjab, Pakistan. Anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire, memory loss using the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire, and quality of life using the Older People’s Quality of Life Questionnaire-35. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 27 using frequency distributions and chi-square testing. Results: Of the 154 participants, 41.6% were aged 40-45 years, 37.7% were aged 46-50 years, and 20.8% were aged 51-55 years. Memory-loss experience was reported by 33.8% of participants. Anxiety showed a significant association with quality of life in the overall sample (χ²=46.166, df=12, p<0.001) and with memory loss (χ²=39.098, df=15, p<0.001). Age-stratified analysis showed significant anxiety-quality-of-life associations in the 40-45-year group (p=0.048) and 46-50-year group (p=0.004), but not in the 51-55-year group (p=0.107). Conclusion: Higher anxiety was associated with poorer quality of life and greater memory-loss burden in adults aged 40 to 55 years, highlighting the importance of early psychosocial screening in middle adulthood.