Social Network Size and Cognitive Functioning in Middle-Aged Adults: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations

Daniel Eriksson Sörman,Margareta Norberg,Michael Rönnlund,Lars-Göran Nilsson,Anna Sundström

doi:10.1007/s10804-016-9248-3

Daniel Eriksson Sörman, Margareta Norberg + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-016-9248-3

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Abstract

The objective of the present study was to examine relations between social network size and three cognitive abilities (episodic memory, semantic memory, visuospatial ability) in middle-aged adults. We analyzed cross-sectional data on social network size and cognitive functioning that were available for 804 participants aged 40–60 years. In addition, we examined 5- and 10-year follow-up measurements of cognitive functioning that were available for 604 and 255 participants, respectively. Cross-sectional analyses revealed a positive association between social network size and each of the three cognitive abilities. Baseline network size was positively related to 5-year changes in semantic memory, and to 10-year changes in semantic as well as episodic memory, but was unrelated to changes in visuospatial performance. A minor portion of the sample (n = 131) had 10-year follow-up data on network size. Cross-lagged panel correlations revealed that baseline network size was associated with follow-up measurement in cognitive functioning (episodic memory, semantic memory), whereas baseline cognitive performance was unrelated to future network size. Together, the results demonstrate a small but positive relation between network size and declarative memory abilities, in line with models proposing a cognitive reserve built up by factors such as the increased cognitive stimulation associated with a more extensive social network.

Highlights

A number of studies have shown that engagement in social relationships is negatively related to mortality and positively related to a variety of health outcomes (Barger 2013; Tay et al 2013)
Cross-lagged panel correlations revealed that baseline network size was associated with follow-up measurement in cognitive functioning, whereas baseline cognitive performance was unrelated to future network size
The results revealed that social network size at baseline was significantly associated with episodic memory at the 10-year follow-up (r = .219, p \ .05), episodic memory at baseline was unrelated to network size at the 10-year follow-up (r = -.005, p [ .05)

Summary

Introduction

A number of studies have shown that engagement in social relationships is negatively related to mortality and positively related to a variety of health outcomes (Barger 2013; Tay et al 2013). Available evidence indicates a positive association between social relationships and cognitive functioning in old age (e.g., Beland et al 2005; Ertel et al 2008; Fratiglioni et al 2004; Lovden et al 2005; Zunzunegui et al 2003). One possibility is that social activity puts cognitive demands on many cognitive components or processes such as memory, attention, inhibition, and adaption to the perspectives and desires of other (Ybarra et al 2008) These demands on cognitive functioning may in turn build up a reserve capacity that allows for more efficient use of neural networks, thereby minimizing age-related decline (Scarmeas and Stern 2003; Stern 2002). Findings from a longitudinal study using postmortem examinations—and demonstrating that cognitive functions remained higher for individuals with larger social network size even in the presence of severe levels of Alzheimer’s disease pathology

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