Jonathan Wörn1,2, Hannie Comijs3, Marja Aartsen4. 1. Research Training Group SOCLIFE, Albertus-Magnus-Platz, Cologne, Germany. 2. Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne, Albertus-Magnus-Platz, Cologne, Germany. 3. GGZinGeest/Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 4. NOVA, Norwegian Social Research, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The study investigates whether the disadvantaged position of men in the adverse consequences of widowhood for health and mortality also exists for changes in cognitive health. METHODS: We used data of up to 1,269 men and women aged 65 years and older who participated in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam in 3-yearly assessments between 1992 and 2012 (5,123 person-observations). All were married and without cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 24) at baseline and up to 419 lost their spouse. In fixed effects regression models, the effect of spousal loss on change in four domains of cognitive functioning was estimated independently of age-related cognitive change. RESULTS: For women, a robust temporary decrease was found in the second year after spousal loss in the reasoning domain, but not in global cognitive functioning, processing speed, or memory. No robust effects were found for men. DISCUSSION: Considering that only one cognitive domain was affected and effects were temporary, cognitive functioning seems rather robust to the experience of spousal loss. Despite men having often been reported to be in a disadvantaged position in other health domains, our analyses indicate no such pattern for cognitive functioning.
OBJECTIVES: The study investigates whether the disadvantaged position of men in the adverse consequences of widowhood for health and mortality also exists for changes in cognitive health. METHODS: We used data of up to 1,269 men and women aged 65 years and older who participated in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam in 3-yearly assessments between 1992 and 2012 (5,123 person-observations). All were married and without cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 24) at baseline and up to 419 lost their spouse. In fixed effects regression models, the effect of spousal loss on change in four domains of cognitive functioning was estimated independently of age-related cognitive change. RESULTS: For women, a robust temporary decrease was found in the second year after spousal loss in the reasoning domain, but not in global cognitive functioning, processing speed, or memory. No robust effects were found for men. DISCUSSION: Considering that only one cognitive domain was affected and effects were temporary, cognitive functioning seems rather robust to the experience of spousal loss. Despite men having often been reported to be in a disadvantaged position in other health domains, our analyses indicate no such pattern for cognitive functioning.
Authors: E Lydia Wu-Chung; Stephanie L Leal; Bryan T Denny; Samantha L Cheng; Christopher P Fagundes Journal: Neurosci Biobehav Rev Date: 2021-12-29 Impact factor: 8.989
Authors: Meagan T Farrell; Lindsay C Kobayashi; Livia Montana; Ryan G Wagner; Nele Demeyere; Lisa Berkman Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2020-08-13 Impact factor: 4.077