Decreased Recognition of Facial Affects in Elderly

Lee, Kyoung Uk; Chae, Jeong Ho; Choi, In Chul; Lee, Hae Kook; Kweon, Yong Sil; Lee, Chung Tae

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elderly and young adults differ in their recognition of facial expressions of emotion.
METHODS
A total of 120 (elderly group 53, young group 67) subjects participated in this study. Korean facial expressions of emotion including happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, surprise and neutral were used as stimuli for facial affect recognition test. Computerized facial affect recognition test that consists of facial affect discrimination test and facial affect intensity test was performed.
RESULTS
For facial affect discrimination test, there was a significant difference between two groups (F=3.986, p<.01) after controlling the effect of education. Elderly participants showed significantly less correct recognition rate with sadness, anger and disgust (p<.05). For facial affect intensity test, there was no significant difference between the groups in recognition of emotional intensity. Chi-square test or t-test was done according to the clinical variables. Multivariate analysis of covariance was done to test group differences of correct recognition rate and emotional intensity.
CONCLUSION
This is the first report of differential decrease of facial affect recognition in elderly using Korean facial expressions. This study suggests that the decrement of facial affect recognition maye be a part of normal aging process.