The association between social resources and cognitive change in older adults: evidence from the Charlotte County Healthy Aging Study

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2008 Jul;63(4):P241-P244. doi: 10.1093/geronb/63.4.p241.

Abstract

We examined associations between multiple aspects of social resources and 5-year change in performance on different domains of cognitive function. Results indicated that lower satisfaction with support was associated with decline in episodic memory performance over 5 years. We also found significant interactions between age and social networks of family and friends and satisfaction with support for the separate cognitive domains. The results suggest that social resources may be differentially important for cognitive change but that different cognitive domains respond in a similar pattern to social resources.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Cognition*
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Florida
  • Friends / psychology
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Mental Status Schedule / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Psychometrics
  • Retention, Psychology
  • Social Support*