@article {10153, title = {Social relations and age-related change in memory.}, journal = {Psychology and Aging}, volume = {34}, year = {2019}, pages = {751-765}, abstract = {Previous research suggests that social relations are associated with age-related memory change. However, social relations are complex and multidimensional, and it is not yet clear which aspects (structure, quality) may be beneficial over time. Further, the strength and direction of associations may differ depending on relationship type (partner, children, other family, friends). Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 10,390; Mage = 69, SD = 9.53 at baseline), latent growth curve models tested which aspects of social relations predicted 6-year episodic memory trajectories. Both structure and quality of social relations were associated with initial memory level, such that being married/partnered, reporting more frequent contact with children and friends, reporting less support from family members other than partners and children, and reporting less strain across relationship types were each independently associated with better initial memory. In contrast, only structure was associated with subsequent memory decline. Specifically, being married/partnered and reporting more frequent contact with friends were each independently associated with slower memory decline. No evidence of bidirectionality was found, as baseline memory did not predict subsequent changes in social relations. This longitudinal study helps to clarify which aspects of social relations are most likely to influence late-life episodic memory trajectories. Future intervention studies may focus on increasing social interactions with nonfamily members to minimize memory decline with age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).}, keywords = {Cognitive Ability, Family Roles/Relationships, Memory, Social Support}, issn = {1939-1498}, doi = {10.1037/pag0000369}, author = {Laura B Zahodne and Kristine J. Ajrouch and Sharifian, Neika and Toni C Antonucci} } @article {10085, title = {Unique effects of perceived neighborhood physical disorder and social cohesion on episodic memory and semantic fluency.}, journal = {Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

Objective: Objective measures of neighborhood quality are associated with physical and mental health outcomes for older adults, but the relationship between perceived neighborhood quality and cognitive health has not been fully explored. Furthermore, positive and negative neighborhood characteristics may influence cognition through different mechanisms. The present study aimed to determine whether perceptions of neighborhood quality predict cognitive functioning in two domains, above and beyond individual-level risk factors, in a nationally representative sample of older adults.

Method: Using cross-sectional weighted data from 13,919 participants aged 51 and older from the Health and Retirement Study, linear regression models tested independent associations between perceived neighborhood quality (physical disorder and social cohesion) and cognition (episodic memory and semantic verbal fluency), controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, chronic disease burden, and depressive symptoms. Interaction terms tested whether neighborhood social cohesion moderated the relationship between neighborhood physical disorder and each cognitive outcome.

Results: Perception of greater neighborhood physical disorder was significantly associated with worse episodic memory, while perception of lower neighborhood social cohesion was significantly associated with worse semantic fluency. There were no significant interactions between physical disorder and social cohesion.

Conclusions: Results provide preliminary evidence for different mechanisms underlying associations between aspects of neighborhood quality and cognition (e.g., stress vs. social interaction). Additional intervention work is needed to determine whether improving neighborhood physical conditions and promoting social cohesion at the neighborhood level could reduce cognitive morbidity among older adults.

}, keywords = {Memory, Neighborhoods, Perception, Social Support}, issn = {1873-5843}, doi = {10.1093/arclin/acy098}, author = {Afsara B. Zaheed and Sharifian, Neika and A Zarina Kraal and Sol, Ketlyne and Hence, Alyssia and Laura B Zahodne} }