Title | Isolation, not loneliness or cynical hostility, predicts cognitive decline in older Americans. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2020 |
Authors | Griffin, SC, Mezuk, B, Williams, ABaylor, Perrin, PB, Rybarczyk, BD |
Journal | Journal of Aging and Health |
ISSN Number | 1552-6887 |
Keywords | Cognition & Reasoning, Depressive symptoms, Loneliness, Risk Factors |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To jointly examine isolation, loneliness, and cynical hostility as risk factors for cognitive decline in older adults. METHOD: Data came from the 2006 to 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a longitudinal study of U.S. older adults (age ⩾ 65 years, n = 6,654). Measures included frequency of contact with social network (objective isolation), the Hughes Loneliness Scale (loneliness), a modified version of the Cook-Medley Hostility Inventory (cynical hostility), and a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (cognitive function). Multilevel modeling (random slope + intercept) was used to examine the association between these factors and trajectories of cognitive function. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: After controlling for demographic characteristics, self-reported health, and functional limitations, loneliness (β = -.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-0.56, -0.11), and cynical hostility (β = -.14, 95% CI = [-0.24, -0.04) correlated with lower cognitive function, but none predicted change in cognitive function. Objective social isolation was associated with lower cognitive function (β = -.27, 95% CI = [-0.41, -0.12]) and steeper decline in cognitive function (β = -.09, 95% CI = [-0.16, -0.01]). |
DOI | 10.1177/0898264318800587 |
User Guide Notes | |
Alternate Journal | J Aging Health |
Citation Key | 9972 |
PubMed ID | 30289338 |