Evaluation of metacognition in terms of psychopathology and coping skills in the elderly

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the metacognition in terms of psychopathology and coping skills in the elderly. Method: A total of 103 elderly individuals (50 females, 53 males) were included in the study between the ages of 65-87 participants living in Yalova-Istanbul. A Socio-Demographic Form, Mini-Mental Test (MMT), The Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R), COPE and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were conducted to the all participants. Results: The average age of the participants was 69.34 ± 4.83. 74% of participants were married and 49% of participants were primary school graduates. One of the MCQ-30 subscale which is the need to control thoughts was a significant positive correlation with all subscales of SCL-90-R. MCQ-30´s cognitive confidence subscale, which assesses confidence in attention and memory was a significant positive correlation with SCL 90-R´s subscales (obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety, anger-hostility, paranoid thought, additional scales) and the total score of SCL 90-R. There was a significant positive correlation between total score of the MCQ-30 with subscales of SCL-90-R (interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, phobic anxiety, psychotic, additional scales). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between total scores of the MCQ-30 and subscale of COPE the problem, emotion focus cope and nonfunctional cope. Conclusion: Along with the increase of the elderly population, this population-specific mental disorder is increasing. This study found that the increase in metacognition activities in a pathological way correlates with the increase of psychopathology symptom and it changes the cope strategies in elderly. Findings of the study will contribute to understanding of healthy ageing and cognitive processes. Key words: Elderly, Metacognition, Psychopathology, Coping, Depression.