Gelan Ying1, Jet M J Vonk1,2, Ketlyne Sol3, Adam M Brickman1, Jennifer J Manly1, Laura B Zahodne3. 1. 171553Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. 2. 168086Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands. 3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract
Objective: Lack of social support is linked to lower cognitive function and cognitive decline. We investigated the effects of a specific type of social relationship, family ties, on cognitive trajectories in non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics. Methods: Using multiple-group latent growth curve models, we analyzed associations between the number of children/grandchildren/siblings/other relatives contacted within the past month at baseline and cognitive trajectories in 1420 older adults who were nondemented at baseline. Language, memory, and visuospatial abilities were assessed at baseline and at 18- and 24-month follow-ups for up to six visits. Inferential analyses assessed the differential effects of sex/gender and race/ethnicity for each family tie. Results: Independent of all covariates, contact with more relatives was associated with better initial memory (b = .01) and language functioning (b = .01) across race/ethnicity and sex/gender. Conclusion: The size of peripheral rather than immediate family networks may be more likely to affect cognitive function in older adults.
Objective: Lack of social support is linked to lower cognitive function and cognitive decline. We investigated the effects of a specific type of social relationship, family ties, on cognitive trajectories in non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics. Methods: Using multiple-group latent growth curve models, we analyzed associations between the number of children/grandchildren/siblings/other relatives contacted within the past month at baseline and cognitive trajectories in 1420 older adults who were nondemented at baseline. Language, memory, and visuospatial abilities were assessed at baseline and at 18- and 24-month follow-ups for up to six visits. Inferential analyses assessed the differential effects of sex/gender and race/ethnicity for each family tie. Results: Independent of all covariates, contact with more relatives was associated with better initial memory (b = .01) and language functioning (b = .01) across race/ethnicity and sex/gender. Conclusion: The size of peripheral rather than immediate family networks may be more likely to affect cognitive function in older adults.
Entities:
Keywords:
longitudinal; race and ethnicity; sex/gender; social support; trajectories
Authors: Neika Sharifian; A Zarina Kraal; Afsara B Zaheed; Ketlyne Sol; Laura B Zahodne Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2019-09-05 Impact factor: 3.658
Authors: T E Seeman; L F Berkman; P A Charpentier; D G Blazer; M S Albert; M E Tinetti Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 1995-07 Impact factor: 6.053