CESR Events

CESR Summer Brown Bag Series

The CESR Brown Bag Series for Summer 2025 will run through Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

Tuesdays
12pm – 1pm
VPD and Zoom

Harmonization of Cognitive Performance Measures across Five European Countries: Results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe – Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol

David Li | USC CESR

Tuesday, June 17
12pm – 1pm
VPD 203 and Zoom

Abstract: The existing scholarship has paid extensive attention to the measurement validity of cognitive batteries in diverse geographic settings. However, less is known about the suitability of commonly used cognitive items for measuring variations among older adults across European countries, whose cultural and linguistic diversity warrants greater appreciation. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe – Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (n = 2,687), we employed psychometric methods to 1) assess item fit and measurement equivalence across five European countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy); 2) estimate harmonized factor scores for general cognitive performance and specific cognitive domains; and 3) evaluate the reliability and criterion validity of the harmonized factor scores. We found that several items, particularly those in the memory and language domains, exhibited poor fit for estimating factor scores. Among the remaining items, most demonstrated measurement equivalence across the five countries – except for those in the language domain. The harmonized factor scores in general exhibited satisfactory reliability and significant correlations with age, educational attainment, and risk factors of dementia and cognitive impairment. These patterns underscore the need to account for cultural diversity and language differences when conducting cross-national comparisons of later-life cognitive function across European countries. We conclude by discussing methodological recommendations for future studies.

Exploring Emotional experiences in daily life: Insights from EMA Data

Yasemin Erbas | Tilburg University

Monday, June 17
2pm – 3pm Pacific
VPD 203 and Zoom

Abstract: Dr. Erbas will provide a brief overview of her work on emotion differentiation and the broader research landscape using EMA (ecological momentary assessment) emotions data. She’ll also raise an important question: Are we currently capturing what people feel? To answer this question, Yasemin will present preliminary findings from two studies that use a data-driven and a participant-driven approach.