Abstract
BackgroundThis study explored the relationship between community social capital and cognitive impairment, with a focus on the buffering role of community social capital in the association between educational disadvantage and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Japan.MethodsWe used data from two population-based, cross-sectional surveys targeting people aged ≥65 years in a suburban city of the Tokyo metropolitan area (n = 897; 49.8% men; average age = 74.4 years). Social capital included social support (emotional and instrumental support) and the strength of social networks (neighborly ties). To create district-level social capital indicators, we aggregated individual responses on social capital within each district. The Mini-Mental State Examination, Japanese version was used for the assessment of cognitive function.ResultsUsing multilevel logistic regression analysis, we found that lower amounts of district-level emotional and instrumental support were associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive impairment among men. For women, district-level emotional support was associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive impairment. Additionally, a strong district-level social network buffered the relationship between low education and cognitive impairment in both sexes.ConclusionsCommunity social capital appears to have a protective role in determining cognitive function in old age. Our findings may facilitate the development of new community-based strategies to combat dementia.
Highlights
This study explored the relationship between community social capital and cognitive impairment, with a focus on the buffering role of community social capital in the association between educational disadvantage and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Japan
We calculated the proportions of (i) people who reported that they had no friends or one friend with whom they could talk about private affairs, (ii) people who reported that they had no friends or one friend whom they could ask for help, and (iii) people who answered “I only greet my neighbors” or “I am not friendly with my neighbors at all” (Categories 3 or 4) within the district as indicators of district-level emotional support, instrumental support, and social network, respectively
With regard to social support, 32.4% had no friends with whom they could talk about private affairs, and 48.1% had no friends whom they could ask for help
Summary
This study explored the relationship between community social capital and cognitive impairment, with a focus on the buffering role of community social capital in the association between educational disadvantage and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Many studies have explored risk factors for cognitive decline, including physical, medical, nutritional, economic, behavioral, and genetic factors [1, 2]. In addition to links between cognitive decline and these individual factors, the associations between neighborhood environmental factors and cognitive function have been widely recognized [3]. Kawachi and Berkman [6] defined social capital as resources that are available to individuals as a result of their membership in a network or a group. Social capital refers to resources embedded within an individual’s social networks. At the group level, social capital represents the resources available to members of communities
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