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Previous studies have shown that that the social relationships buffers against cognitive decline. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential mechanics behind how this may occur. The study proposed that the positive impact that interpersonal ties have on cognitive health would be mediated by the social support derived from such ties. Moreover, it was proposed that group ties would also have a positive effect on cognitive health. Drawing on social identity approaches, this was hypothesised to occur through the identification with groups and group social support. The present study tested this through the distribution of an online Qualtrics survey which examined interpersonal and group ties, as well as cognitive integrity. Based on a sample of 200 older adults, it was found that, consistent with previous research, interpersonal ties was indeed related with better cognitive outcome. This relationship was, however, fully mediated by social support, suggesting that having more interpersonal ties only benefited cognitive health through the provision of more social support. On the other hand, while group ties have also been shown to be related with better cognitive outcome, this effect was not mediated by group identification and group support. This suggested that the underlying processes of how interpersonal ties may contribute to cognitive health may be different from that of group ties. The implications and directions for future research are proposed.
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