Abstract
We examine the long-term relationship between childhood circumstances and cognitive aging. In particular, we differentiate the level of cognitive deficit from the rate of cognitive decline. Applying a linear mixed-effect model to three waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys (CHARLS 2011, 2013, 2015) and matching cognitive outcomes to CHARLS Life History Survey (2014), we find that key domains of childhood circumstances, including family socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood cohesion, friendship, and health conditions, are significantly associated with both the level of cognitive deficit and the rate of decline. In contrast, childhood neighborhood safety only affects the level of cognitive deficit. Childhood relationship with mother only affects the rate of cognitive decline. The effects of adverse childhood circumstances are generally larger on level of cognitive deficit than on rate of cognitive decline. Moreover, education plays a more important role in mediating the relationships compared to other later-life factors. These findings suggest that exposure to disadvantaged childhood circumstances can exacerbate cognitive deficit as well as cognitive decline over time, which may be partially ameliorated by educational attainment.
Highlights
The varying trajectories of health and well-being of older adults may result from a complex interaction of social, environmental, and physiological factors over the life course (Chatterji et al, 2015)
We present the results on childhood circumstances and two components of cognitive aging, respectively
Health, community environment, and relationships can lead to increased vulnerability to the cognitive aging process later in life
Summary
The varying trajectories of health and well-being of older adults may result from a complex interaction of social, environmental, and physiological factors over the life course (Chatterji et al, 2015). A sizable body of research has focused on the long-term health impacts of childhood circumstances to inform interventions in earlier stages. They show that during childhood, socioeconomic status (SES) (Katikireddi, 2016; Moody-Ayers et al, 2007), health and nutritional conditions (Almond and Mazumder, 2011; McEniry et al, 2008), community environment (Aneshensel and Sucoff, 1996; Shen, 2014), and other childhood exposures (Black et al, 2016; Simon, 2016) are associated with various aspects of health in later life. Previous studies have revealed multiple pathways through which childhood circumstances may affect physical health, mental health, and frailty status in later life, direct evidence on the relationship between childhood circumstances and cognitive aging is still partial and limited
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
