Social Support, Social Strain, and Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Overview

Journal J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2017 Jun 3

PMID 28575260

Citations 23

Authors

Shaoqing Ge

Bei Wu

Donald E Bailey Jr

XinQi Dong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Limited research is available on the relationship between social support, social strain, and cognitive function among community-dwelling U.S. Chinese older adults. This study aims to examine the associations between social support/strain and cognitive outcomes.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Population-Based Study of Chinese Elderly (N = 3,159). Cognitive function was measured by a battery of tests including the East Boston Memory Test, the Digit Span Backwards assessment, and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Social support and strain were measured by the scales drawn from the Health and Retirement study. Multiple regression analyses were conducted.

Results: Social support was significantly associated with global cognitive function (β = .11, SE = .02, p < .001), episodic memory (β = .11, SE = .03, p < .001), working memory (β = .18, SE = .08, p < .05), and executive function (β = 1.44, SE = .37, p < .001). Social strain was significantly associated with global cognitive function (β = .23, SE = .05, p < .001), episodic memory (β = .27, SE = .07, p < .001), working memory (β = .34, SE = .17, p < .05), and executive function (β = 2.75, SE = .85, p < .01). In terms of sources of social support/strain, higher support from friends was significantly associated with higher global cognitive function (β = .04, SE = .02, p < .05), higher episodic memory (β = .05, SE = .02, p < .05), and higher executive function (β = .71, SE = .29, p < .05). Higher strain from spouse was significantly associated with higher global cognitive function (β = .10, SE = .03, p < .01), higher episodic memory (β = .11, SE = .04, p < .01), and higher executive function (β = 1.28, SE = .49, p < .01). Higher strain from friends was significantly associated with higher executive function (β = 3.59, SE = 1.17, p < .01).

Conclusions: Social support and strain were associated with cognitive outcomes. Future longitudinal studies should be conducted.

Citing Articles

Sources of perceived social support and cognitive function among older adults: a longitudinal study in rural China.

Gui S, Wang J, Li Q, Chen H, Jiang Z, Hu J Front Aging Neurosci. 2024; 16:1443689.

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Social support and cognitive function in Chinese older adults who experienced depressive symptoms: is there an age difference?.

Jing Y, Wang W, Peng W, Wang M, Chen X, Liu X Front Aging Neurosci. 2023; 15:1175252.

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Functional social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults: a systematic review of cross-sectional and cohort studies.

Mogic L, Rutter E, Tyas S, Maxwell C, OConnell M, Oremus M Syst Rev. 2023; 12(1):86.

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Haghighi P, Oremus M BMC Geriatr. 2023; 23(1):290.

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