Abstract
One's personal social network constitutes a contextual framing factor for late-life cognitive function. This study examined the association between network type at baseline and changes in three cognitive measures: immediate recall, delayed recall, and fluency, two years hence, among Europeans aged 50 and older. Data were taken from Waves four and five of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe of adults aged 50 and above (N = 50,071). The latent class analysis was applied to a set of criterion variables. The procedure yielded five distinct network types: multi-tie (6%), family-rich (23%), close-family (49%), family-poor (12%), and friend-enhanced (10%). The network types were then regressed on the cognition measures at follow-up, controlling for the respective baseline cognition scores, as well as for age, gender, education, self-rated health, mobility difficulty, and country. Respondents in family-poor network types had poorer cognition scores at follow-up, compared to those in the modal close-family network, while those in multi-tie networks had consistently better scores. The family-rich network and the friend-enhanced network also had a somewhat better cognitive function. Having varied sources of network ties, e.g. friendship ties and/or several types of family relationships, is beneficial to the cognitive health of older adults over time. Networks based mainly on ties with relatives other than spouse and children, on the other hand, have poorer cognitive outcomes. Older people in this latter group face an increased risk for cognitive decline and should receive assistance in enhancing their interpersonal environments.
Highlights
Cognitive decline is a major health concern in later life (Deary et al, 2009)
This study examined the association of social network type with cognitive performance
We wished to examine which of the social network constellations were beneficial for cognitive performance and which were related to worsening cognition
Summary
Cognitive decline is a major health concern in later life (Deary et al, 2009). It is associated, with reduced functional capacity, loss of independence (Luppa et al, 2009), depression (Aichele and Ghisletta, 2018), and mortality (Schupf et al, 2005). Identification of the factors that influence cognitive performance in older age is an increasingly important task and should be a public health priority as well. That is, the ties that people variously maintain, has long been identified as a factor that is related to cognitive function (Crooks et al, 2008; Hertzog et al, 2009; Kelly et al, 2017).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
