@article {13885, title = {The dynamic and reciprocal relationship between perceived everyday discrimination and cognitive function in later life.}, journal = {Aging \& Mental Health}, year = {Forthcoming}, pages = {1-11}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study, based on socioemotional selectivity theory and cognitive theory, investigates the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between perceived discrimination and cognitive function in later life.

METHODS: Data were drawn from four waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018). A total of 4,125 people who were 51 and older were included. Cognitive function was measured by the telephone interview for cognitive status (TICS-27). Perceived discrimination was measured using scores of the perceived everyday discrimination scale. Random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) was utilized. The model was adjusted for a range of covariates. Subgroup analysis by ethnoracial groups was conducted.

RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, while lower cognitive function was associated with higher perceived discrimination, this relationship was unidirectional. Longitudinally, higher perceived discrimination predicted lower cognitive function in later waves only among non-Hispanic White individuals.

CONCLUSION: Results suggested that a decline in cognitive function may precede and contribute to the worsening of perceived discrimination, which may result in further decline in cognitive function. Lifetime experience of discrimination was discussed as a possible source of the racial/ethnic variations in the relationship. Further study is needed to examine whether this relationship holds among people with cognitive impairment and dementia.

}, keywords = {cognitive function, cognitive theory, Health and Retirement Study (HRS), Perceived Discrimination, random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM), socioemotional selectivity theory}, issn = {1364-6915}, doi = {10.1080/13607863.2024.2338196}, author = {Amano, Takashi and Jia, Yuane and Redding, Audrey} } @article {13640, title = {An outcome-wide analysis of the effects of diagnostic labeling of Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease and related dementias on social relationships.}, journal = {Alzheimers \& dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s Association}, year = {Forthcoming}, abstract = {

INTRODUCTION: This study examines how receiving a dementia diagnosis influences social relationships by race and ethnicity.

METHODS: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (10 waves; 7,159 observations) of adults 70 years and older predicted to have dementia using Gianattasio-Power scores (91\% accuracy), this study assessed changes in social support, engagement, and networks after a dementia diagnosis. We utilized quasi-experimental methods to estimate treatment effects and subgroup analyses by race/ethnicity.

RESULTS: A diagnostic label significantly increased the likelihood of gaining social support but reduced social engagement and one measure of social networks. With some exceptions, the results were similar by race and ethnicity.

DISCUSSION: Results suggest that among older adults with assumed dementia, being diagnosed by a doctor may influence social relationships in both support-seeking and socially withdrawn ways. This suggests that discussing services and supports at the time of diagnosis is important for healthcare professionals.

}, keywords = {diagnostic label of dementia, Health and Retirement Study (HRS), outcome-wide analysis, Propensity score analysis, social engagement, social network, Social Support}, issn = {1552-5279}, doi = {10.1002/alz.13574}, author = {Amano, Takashi and Halvorsen, Cal J and Kim, Seoyoun and Reynolds, Addam and Scher, Clara and Jia, Yuane} } @article {12911, title = {Comparison of Cognitive and Physical Decline as Predictors of Depression Among Older Adults.}, journal = {Journal of Applied Gerontology}, volume = {42}, year = {2023}, pages = {387-398}, abstract = {

Activities of daily living (ADL) limitations and cognitive impairment have been identified as key risk factors for depression among older adults. However, little has been done to compare the strength of these relationships. The current study describes the prevalence and compares the independent and joint associations of ADL and cognitive limitations with depression among older adults in the US. Analyses are based on a sample of 30,923 observations on 13,545 unique respondents from three waves (2012, 2014, and 2016) of the Health and Retirement Study. Linear and logistic multivariate regression models with random and individual fixed effects were estimated. Findings indicate that both cognitive and ADL limitations are associated with depression; however, across all models, ADL limitations have a much stronger association. Further, in our most rigorous models, having both limitations is not significantly different from having just ADL, and not cognitive, limitations.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Cognitive Dysfunction, depression, Retirement, Risk Factors}, issn = {1552-4523}, doi = {10.1177/07334648221139255}, author = {Scher, Clara and Nepomnyaschy, Lenna and Amano, Takashi} } @article {12098, title = {The Association Between Patterns of Social Engagement and Conversion From Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study.}, journal = {Alzheimer Disease \& Associated Disorders}, volume = {36}, year = {2022}, pages = {7-14}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between patterns of social engagement and conversion from cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND) to dementia. It also tested whether social engagement is associated with conversion independently from physical and cognitive engagements.

METHOD: Data from 2 waves (2010 and 2014) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used. The sample consisted of 1227 people who had CIND in 2010. To identify the heterogeneity of social engagement, latent class analysis was utilized. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the association between patterns of social engagement and probability of conversion to dementia and death or dropout.

RESULTS: The result showed that patterns of social engagement that represent higher level and more variety of social engagement were associated with lower probabilities of conversion to dementia in 4 years but not with probabilities of death or dropout. The relationship held after controlling for physical and cognitive engagements.

DISCUSSION: Findings implied that promoting social engagement may be protective against developing dementia even for the high-risk group of people with CIND. Future studies should investigate the mechanism behind the relationship between patterns of social engagement and lower probabilities of conversion to dementia.

}, keywords = {cognitive impairment, environmental enrichment model, Latent Class Analysis}, issn = {1546-4156}, doi = {10.1097/WAD.0000000000000486}, author = {Amano, Takashi and Sojung Park and Morrow-Howell, Nancy and Carpenter, Brian} } @article {12452, title = {Associations between volunteering and cognitive impairment: The moderating role of race/ethnicity.}, journal = {Health \& Social Care in the Community}, volume = {30}, year = {2022}, pages = {e4433-e4441}, abstract = {

Although volunteering has been shown to benefit cognitive health, there is a paucity of evidence on informal volunteering and subjective measures of cognitive impairment. Also, little is known about whether such relationships vary by race/ethnicity. This study aimed to examine the associations of both formal and informal volunteering with older adults{\textquoteright} objective and subjective cognition and explore the moderating role of race/ethnicity in such associations. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study in the United States (2010-2016), 9941 older adults (51+) who were cognitively unimpaired in 2010 and alive through 2016 were included. Ordered logistic regression models were performed to assess the relationships among volunteering, cognitive impairment and race/ethnicity. Findings showed that more years of formal and informal volunteering significantly reduced the odds of objective cognitive impairment; neither volunteering type was significant for subjective cognitive impairment. The relationship between informal volunteering and objective cognition varied by race/ethnicity. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Black older adults who engaged in more years of informal volunteering had a significantly higher odds of cognitive impairment over time. The current study is one of the first to look at the associations between informal volunteering and cognition. The inclusion of subjective cognitive impairment, paired with objective measures of cognition, also adds value to the knowledge body. Our findings indicate any type of volunteering is a viable approach to prevent cognitive impairment for older populations. However, more research is needed to better understand why racial/ethnic minority, particularly non-Hispanic Black older adults, do not benefit from informal volunteering.

}, keywords = {formal volunteering, informal volunteering, minority ageing, objective cognition, subjective cognition}, issn = {1365-2524}, doi = {10.1111/hsc.13847}, author = {Wang, Yi and Wong, Roger and Amano, Takashi and Shen, Huei-Wern} } @article {11934, title = {The Effect of Receiving a Diagnosis of Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s Disease and Related Dementias on Social Relationships of Older Adults.}, journal = {Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders}, volume = {50}, year = {2021}, pages = {401-406}, abstract = {

INTRODUCTION: Although early diagnosis has been recognized as a key strategy to improve outcomes of Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease and related dementias (ADRD), the effect of receiving a diagnosis on patients{\textquoteright} well-being is not well understood. This study addresses this gap by examining if receiving a dementia diagnosis influences social relationships.

METHODS: Data from the 3 waves (2012, 2014, and 2016) of the Health and Retirement Study were utilized as part of this study. This study examined whether receiving a new diagnosis of ADRD changed subsequent social relationships (social networks, social engagement, and social support). Regression analyses with inverse probability weighting were performed to estimate the impact of receiving a dementia diagnosis on changes in social relationships.

RESULTS: Receiving a new diagnosis of ADRD reduced both informal and formal social engagement. We found no statistically significant impacts of receiving a diagnosis of ADRD on social networks and social support.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that receiving a new diagnosis of ADRD may have unintended impacts on social relationships. Practitioners and policymakers should be aware of these consequences and should identify strategies to alleviate the negative impact of receiving a diagnosis of ADRD and methods to mobilize support networks after receiving a diagnosis.

}, keywords = {Diagnosis of dementia, Propensity score analysis, Social Relationships}, issn = {1421-9824}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1159/000519581}, author = {Amano, Takashi and Reynolds, Addam and Scher, Clara and Jia, Yuane} } @article {10042, title = {Patterns of social engagement among older adults with mild cognitive impairment.}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences \& Social Sciences}, volume = {75}, year = {2020}, pages = {1361-1371}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: Promoting engagement in social activities may be an intervention that prevents or delays cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, little is known about social engagement among people with mild cognitive impairment. We aim to examine patterns of social engagement among people with mild cognitive impairment and to assess whether factors under four domains of the WHO{\textquoteright}s ICF model (personal factors, environmental factors, body functions and structure, and health condition) associate with different patterns of social engagement.

METHOD: Data were drawn from the 2010 Health and Retirement Study. The final sample comprised 1,227 people with Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (CIND). Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were utilized.

RESULTS: Three patterns of social engagement were identified: informal social engagement only, formal and informal social engagement, and low social engagement. Factors in each of the four ICF model domains were associated with the probability of class membership.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that social engagement is heterogeneous among people with CIND and that some groups of people with CIND have possibilities of engaging in more social activities, especially in formal social activities. Results also indicate that providing informal social resources may be essential for social programs designed specifically for people with CIND to promote their formal social engagement. Future study is needed to examine possible differences in outcomes across groups with similar patterns of social engagement.

}, keywords = {CIND, Cognition \& Reasoning, Health Conditions and Status, Social Support}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbz051}, author = {Amano, Takashi and Morrow-Howell, Nancy and So Jung Park} } @article { ISI:000511064100002, title = {Resource and Network Predictors of Multiple Volunteering Cessations: Implications for Social Policy and Practice}, journal = {CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK JOURNAL}, year = {2020}, type = {Article; Early Access}, abstract = {The benefits of volunteering are well-documented, however, studies specifically investigating the cessation of volunteering in old age are relatively limited, especially on multiple stops of volunteering. The present study explores the number of times older people stop volunteering over 14 years, and examines its association with financial resources, health, family demands, social networks, neighborhood environment as well as the sociodemographic characteristics. Using eight-wave data from the Health and Retirement Study, the sample included 3914 volunteers who were 50 + in 1998 and were alive throughout 2012. Among the sample, 32.75\% never stopped volunteering, 41.47\% stopped once, 20.77\% stopped twice, and 5.01\% stopped three times. Findings from Poisson regression models indicated that respondents who were older, less educated, less religious, had lower income at baseline, later developed cognitive problems, became caregivers, and had no friends living nearby were more likely to stop volunteering multiple times. Findings from the present study suggest retaining volunteers by adjusting volunteering responsibilities for older volunteers who are more vulnerable to volunteering cessation and encouraging continued commitment by maximizing their friendship and religious networks.}, keywords = {civic engagement, productive aging, Volunteer activity, Volunteer cessation}, issn = {0091-1674}, doi = {10.1007/s10615-020-00748-x}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007\%2Fs10615-020-00748-x}, author = {Shen, Huei-Wern and Wang, Yi and Wong, Roger and Amano, Takashi} } @article {10130, title = {Home and community-based services and life satisfaction among homebound and poor older adults.}, journal = {Journal of Gerontological Social Work}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Little evidence exists regarding the role of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) utilization on life satisfaction among older people who are both homebound and low-income. Guided by the personal-environment (-E) fit perspective, this study aims to: (1) describe characteristics of older people with homebound and low-income status; (2) investigate how the combination of homebound and low-income status is associated with life satisfaction; and (3) examine whether HCBS utilization moderates the association between homebound and low-income status and life satisfaction. Data were drawn from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study, and the sample included respondents who were 51+ years who completed a questionnaire for HCBS utilization (= 1,662). Results describe sociodemographic, health-related, and environmental characteristics of older adults. Combined homebound and low-income status was a significant predictor of lower life satisfaction ( = -0.15, < .05), but better life satisfaction when they used HCBS ( 0.33, .10). These findings suggest that promoting HCBS utilization is a promising strategy to enhance well-being among those homebound and poor. Further studies are needed to test the effectiveness of HCBS with longitudinal data and to investigate the details of effective HCBS utilization such as frequency of use and types of services.}, keywords = {Community-based services, Depressive symptoms, Well-being}, issn = {1540-4048}, doi = {10.1080/01634372.2019.1639094}, author = {Chen, Qingru and Amano, Takashi and So Jung Park and BoRin Kim} } @article {10389, title = {Home Environment, Living Alone, and Trajectories of Cognitive Function Among Older Adults With Functional Limitations}, journal = {Environment and Behavior}, year = {2019}, note = {doi: 10.1177/0013916519879772}, month = {2019/10/16}, pages = {0013916519879772}, abstract = {This study aimed to investigate the effects of Person-Environment Fit on trajectories of cognitive function. Data came from the Health Retirement Study (1998-2010), focusing on those aged 65 and above who had at least one limitation in activities of daily living. Using longitudinal mixed-effect modeling, we analyzed the effects of living in supportive home environments on trajectories of cognitive function over time. Disabled older individuals living alone were likely to experience a decline in cognitive function over time. However, the detrimental effects of living alone were moderated when the home was equipped with supportive features and accessibility. The findings reveal the importance of home modifications for socially and physically vulnerable elders.}, keywords = {Cognition, Functional limitations, home environment, Loneliness}, isbn = {0013-9165}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916519879772}, author = {So Jung Park and BoRin Kim and Amano, Takashi and Chen, Qingru} } @mastersthesis {10257, title = {Social Engagement Among Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Conversion to Dementia}, volume = {Ph.D.}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, pages = {131}, school = {Washington University in St. Louis}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, abstract = {Promoting social engagement is a promising approach to prevent or delay conversion from cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) to dementia. However, little is known about social engagement among people with CIND. This dissertation project aimed to improve understanding of social engagement among people with CIND by addressing gaps in the literature. It had three specific aims including: to describe and identify factors associated with heterogeneity of social engagement among older adults with CIND, to assess the association between heterogeneity of social engagement and conversion from CIND to dementia, and to investigate the relationship among heterogeneity of social engagement, other types of activity engagement, and conversion from CIND to dementia. Data from two waves (2010 and 2014) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used. The sample consisted of 1,227 people who were classified as having CIND in 2010. To identify the heterogeneity of social engagement, Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was utilized. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between factors and patterns of social engagement. Using LCA, three groups were identified: Formal and informal social engagement group, Informal social engagement only group, and Low social engagement group. Some factors from four domains of WHO{\textquoteright}s ICF model were associated with probability of having certain patterns of social engagement. To assess the relationship between heterogeneity of social engagement and conversion from CIND to dementia, binary logistic regression was utilized. The result showed that people in the formal and informal social engagement group and informal social engagement only group had significantly lower probabilities of converting to dementia in four years. To investigate the relationship among different types of activity engagement and conversion from CIND to dementia, path analysis with structural equation model was utilized. The result revealed that the relationship between having the pattern of formal and informal social engagement and lower probability of converting to dementia in four years was mediated by having higher cognitive engagements. Findings suggest that social engagement is heterogeneous among people with CIND and there are some modifiable factors to promote social engagement among them. Results of this study also imply that promoting social engagement may be promising intervention to prevent or delay conversion from CIND to dementia. Findings further indicate that promoting social engagement may be more effective and efficient strategy since it promotes other activity engagements that may prevent or delay conversion from CIND to dementia.}, keywords = {Cognition, cognitive impairment, Dementia, social engagement}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.7936/53kh-ay12}, url = {https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds/1845/}, author = {Amano, Takashi} } @article {9295, title = {The Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Patterns of Activity Engagement Among Older Adults.}, journal = {Research on Aging}, volume = {40}, year = {2018}, pages = {645-667}, abstract = {This study aims to assess the association between cognitive impairment and activity engagement patterns. Data from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study were used. A total of 3,943 participants aged 65 or older were included in analyses. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used. Four activity engagement profiles were identified: high activity (31.2\%), active leisure (18.9\%), passive leisure (28.2\%), and low activity (21.7\%). People in the high activity group engaged in all activities more than people in any other group, whereas people in the low activity group did not actively engage in most activities. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that cognitive impairment had an independent effect on the probability of being assigned to the low activity group compared to other groups. Cognitive impairment was associated with inactivity in a variety of activities. Future studies should examine supportive factors, which facilitate active patterns among people with cognitive impairment.}, keywords = {Activity engagement, Cognitive Ability}, issn = {1552-7573}, doi = {10.1177/0164027517728553}, author = {Amano, Takashi and So Jung Park and Morrow-Howell, Nancy} }