A - 82 Perceived Social Support Is Associated with Cognition but Not Physical Functioning in Older Adults with and without Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract

To examine the association between perceived social support, cognition, and physical functioning in older adults with and without Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Participants were dementia-free older adults with MS (N = 89; M age = 64.75, SD + 4.25years; 66.3% female) and community-residing older adults (N = 102; M age = 68.74, SD + 7.12years; 62.7% female). The medical outcomes study modified social support survey (MSSS), oral symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and timed-25-foot-walk-test (T25FW) served as outcome measures. Linear regressions stratified by group status assessed the associations between PSS, cognition, and physical functioning. Higher total MSSS scores were associated with higher SDMT scores in the MS group (β= 0.24, p = 0.02) and in the control group (β= 0.26, p = 0.005). Positive social interaction (β= 0.27, p = 0.011) was associated with SDMT performance in the MS group. Emotional/informational support (β= 0.27, p = 0.003) and positive social interaction (β= 0.25, p = 0.007) were associated with SDMT performance in the control group. Depression scores attenuated associations between perceived social support and SDMT performance in the MS group (p > 0.05) but not the control group. In contrast, higher MSSS scores were not associated with higher T25FW scores in either group. Among older adults with and without MS, perceived social support was associated with cognition but not physical functioning. Depressive symptoms attenuated associations between perceived social support and cognition in the MS group only.