Early-Life Maternal Relationship Quality and Cognitive Function in Later Life: Mediating Role of Social Resources?

OBJECTIVES: Based on the life course perspective, attachment theory, and the convoy model, we examined the association between early-life maternal relationship quality and cognitive function in later life. We also examined whether adult social relationships mediate this relationship.

METHODS: We utilized longitudinal data (2006-2020) from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 50 years or older) and latent growth curve models to examine the association between early-life maternal relationship quality and cognitive function over time and the potential mediating effects of adult social relationships. Early-life maternal relationship quality was measured with a four-item scale assessing early-life experiences with mothers.

RESULTS: Older adults who reported higher early-life maternal relationship quality had higher initial levels of cognitive function (β = 0.118, p < .001), but they experienced a steeper cognitive decline (β = -0.014, p < .01), supporting the cognitive reserve model. Mediation analysis showed that social contact and social strain in adulthood partly explained the link between early-life maternal relationship quality and initial cognitive function. Specifically, individuals with higher early-life maternal relationship quality generally had more social contact and less social strain in adulthood. Meanwhile, social contact in adulthood was associated with higher initial cognitive function, while social strain was negatively associated with initial cognitive function.

DISCUSSION: This study highlights the links between early-life maternal relationship quality, adult social relationships, and cognitive function in later life. Although social support is widely reported as beneficial for cognitive function, our results show that the absence of social strain is more protective of later-life cognitive function.