Multidimensional approach of theory of mind in healthy aging.

Cognitive ToM and recursive reasoning showed age-related decline as measured by the TOM-15 task.

• Three age groups were compared: young adults (18-40 years, M=25.4, SD=6.91, n=54), middle-aged adults (41-60 years, M=50.4, SD=4.95, n=53), and older adults (61-82 years, M=70.4, SD=5.13, n=56).
• The TOM-15 assessed cognitive ToM and recursive reasoning level.
• A progressive age-related effect was observed, with adults experiencing progressively greater difficulties in understanding and predicting others' behaviors.

Affective ToM and decoding abilities as measured by the Pictures of Facial Affect Test showed age-related differences.

• The Pictures of Facial Affect Test assessed affective ToM and decoding processes.
• The direction and magnitude of age-related effects varied depending on the contextual demands involved.
• All three age groups (young, middle-aged, and older adults) were compared on this decoding dimension.

Both cognitive and affective ToM at the decoding-reasoning level as measured by the Faux-pas task showed age-related effects.

• The Faux-pas task assessed cognitive and affective ToM as well as the decoding-reasoning level.
• A progressive age-related effect was found across this dimension.
• The total sample included 163 participants across three age groups.

The type of ToM errors made during the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) varied with age.

• The MASC assessed cognitive and affective ToM as well as the type of ToM error (e.g., overmentalizing, undermentalizing, no-ToM errors).
• Age-related differences were found in error types as well as overall performance.
• This finding indicates that not only the accuracy but also the nature of mentalizing failures changes with aging.

Age-related ToM decline was progressive across the lifespan, affecting young, middle-aged, and older adults to differing degrees.

• The study recruited three distinct age groups spanning ages 18 to 82 years.
• Results aligned with the hypothesis that 'adults experience progressively greater difficulties in understanding and predicting others' behaviors.'
• The progressive pattern was observed across all ToM dimensions assessed, not only in older adults.

A multidimensional ToM assessment approach was recommended to better inform interventions for older people's social cognitive needs.

• Four validated tests were used jointly to cover multiple ToM dimensions: nature of mental states (cognitive vs. affective), recursive reasoning level, and decoding-reasoning processes.
• The authors argued that previous studies using diverse methodologies and focusing on only one dimension made it difficult to draw clear conclusions about age-related effects.
• The authors concluded that 'a multidimensional ToM assessment could better inform interventions tailored to the cognitive and affective social needs of older people.'