Association between positive control in self-perceptions of aging and motoric cognitive risk syndrome among Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

Background Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are important psychosocial factors that lead to a wide range of outcomes including dementia. However, the relationships between positive SPA and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) which is a predementia syndrome are still unknown. This study aimed to reveal the associations of positive control and aging awareness of SPA with the risk of MCR and its components. Methods A cross-sectional design was conducted among 1137 Chinese community-dwelling older adults. Positive control and aging awareness were defined by two dimensions of SPA (Positive control and Timeline chronic). MCR was determined according to definition. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations. Results The overall prevalence of MCR was 11.5% (mean age = 71.62 ± 5.22). After adjusting for depression, anxiety, and cognitive function, positive control was associated with reduced risk of MCR ( OR = 0.624, 95% CI 0.402–0.969, P = 0.036), subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) ( OR = 0.687, 95% CI 0.492–0.959, P = 0.027), and gait speed (GS) ( OR = 0.377, 95% CI 0.197–0.720, P = 0.003), respectively. Aging awareness was merely related to increased risk of MCR ( OR = 1.386, 95% CI 1.062–1.810, P = 0.016). Conclusions This study highlights the crucial associations of positive control and aging awareness with MCR and its components. Our results emphasize that positive belief in control and adaptive aging awareness might be promising targets for preventing MCR.