Social relationship quality and cognitive function: the roles of gender, race/ethnicity, and depression

Changmin Peng · Jeffrey A. Burr · Jan E. Mutchler · Deborah Carr

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Aging and Gerontology Research Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research Health disparities and outcomes

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study examines the extent to which the quality of one's relationships with spouse, children, friends, and other family members are associated with cognitive function in older adults by gender and racial identities, along with the mediation effect of depressive symptoms for these associations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study uses data from the 2006-2014 Health and Retirement Study. Cognitive function is assessed with Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Social relationship quality is assessed with perceived social support and social strain level. Linear growth models are employed to address the research questions. RESULTS: Older women report better cognitive function when they perceive higher support from children, lower support from other family members, and less strain from friends, while older men show worse cognitive function when they perceive higher spousal strain. Among racial groups, older White adults benefit from greater support from children, less strain from spouse, and lower support and strain from other family members. Older Black adults report better cognitive function with more support from children and less strain from friend. Depressive symptoms mediate the association between four sources of social strain and cognitive function, as well as between social support from spouse, children, and friend. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Exchanges with social network members may serve as sources of either support or stress, potentially promoting or undermining cognitive function among older adults depending on gender and race-ethnic identity. Interventions supporting cognitive aging may be more effective by reducing psychological distress, such as depression.

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References

2000From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millennium 2011Spouses, adult children, and children-in-law as caregivers of older adults: A meta-analytic comparison.2013The Convoy Model: Explaining Social Relations From a Multidisciplinary Perspective 2016Loneliness, depression and cognitive function in older U.S. adults 2001Social Networks Among Blacks and Whites: The Interaction Between Race and Age 2002How gender affects patterns of social relations and their impact on health: a comparison of one or multiple sources of support from “close persons”2003The Relative Importance of Three Domains of Positive and Negative Social Exchanges: A Longitudinal Model With Comparable Measures.2000Definitions of friendship in the third age: age, gender, and study location effects

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