Do economic recessions during early and mid-adulthood influence cognitive function in older age?

Anja K Leist,Mauricio Avendano,Philipp Hessel

doi:10.1136/jech-2013-202843

Abstract

BackgroundFluctuations in the national economy shape labour market opportunities and outcomes, which in turn may influence the accumulation of cognitive reserve. This study examines whether economic recessions experienced in early...

Highlights

Midlife labour market outcomes and working conditions have been shown to predict cognitive function and decline at older age
Our findings provide evidence that economic recessions experienced at vulnerable periods in midlife are associated with decreased later-life cognitive function and that part of this association may operate through the link of recessions with working conditions and labour market trajectories
Among women, experiencing an additional recession at ages 25–44 was associated with poorer cognitive outcomes, which may be explained by their higher rates of job loss due to lay-off or plant/office closure, less stable job careers and higher likelihood of downward occupational mobility associated with recessions

Summary

Introduction

Midlife labour market outcomes and working conditions have been shown to predict cognitive function and decline at older age. Previous research suggests that subtle differences in cognitive function early in life may lead to divergent career trajectories.[12] A potential alternative to address this bias is to examine how macroeconomic ‘shocks’, which can be viewed as largely exogenous to the cognitive function of the working population, relate to later-life cognitive outcomes. The rationale for this approach is that cohorts affected by negative, unanticipated macroeconomic shocks at vulnerable points in their life course may have less potential to build up cognitive reserve. Recessions at ages 45–49 influenced risk of being laid-off, whereas among women, recessions at ages 25–44 led to working parttime and higher likelihood of downward occupational mobility, which were all predictors of worse later-life cognitive function

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Conclusion