THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN PERSONAL EVENTS AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION: DOES GENDER MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Abstract Recent studies suggested stressful personal events were associated with lower cognitive function and that men and women have different responses to stressful events. There is additionally ample evidence supported gender difference in cognitive function in later age. However, research regarding whether gender would moderate the relationship between personal events and cognitive function are limited. Our data were retrieved from 3,126 US Chinese older adults in Chicago between 2017 to 2019. Personal events were measured by a composite score (range 0-28) of all lifetime events including fire, physical assault, rob, sexual assault, divorce, death, cancer, homeless, imprisonment, false accuse, miscarriage and abortion. Global cognition was constructed by mean of z scores from five cognition tests, covering episodic memory, working memory, executive function and C-MMSE test. Stepwise linear regressions were performed to test the association. After adjusting for social demographic confounders, personal events score was positively associated with global cognition (b=0.018, SE=0.007, p=0.013), and significant interaction term of gender and global cognition was found (b=0.019, SE=0.009, p=0.041). The study found the protective effect of undergoing personal events on cognitive function in an aging population, and it was stronger among women. The findings highlighted the important role of gender in the relationship. Identifying mechanisms underlying this may provide gender-specific information for prevention of cognition decline among older adults. Future studies could explore gender difference in short-term and chronic stressful personal events, respectively, to improve understandings of how traumatic personal events impact cognitive function.

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EVENTS AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3406 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S936-S937

Author(s):

Stephanie M Bergren ◽

Gabriella Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Historical Event ◽

Historical Events ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Global Cognition ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Research has found relationships between experiencing stressful events and lower cognitive function in late life. However, there is little research about the cumulative experiences of significant historical events and cognitive function. Historical events may be unique compared to other life events due to their potential distal relationship to the individual. This study aims to examine the relationship between experiencing significant historical events and cognitive function among Chinese older adults. Data were drawn from the PINE Study, a cohort study of 3,126 US Chinese older adults collected from 2017-2019. Participants were asked if they experienced the Japanese invasion, famine, Great Leap Forward, Vietnam War, Cultural Revolution, and the Tian’anmen Square Protests. A composite score of 0-6 was calculated to count the number experienced. Cognitive function was measured through global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and Chinese MMSE. Linear and quantile regression were performed. Among the participants, 1908 (61.04%) were female with mean age of 75.33 (SD=8.22) years. The average number of historical events experienced was 2.36 (SD=1.44). After adjusting for covariates, every one additional historical event experience was associated with better global cognition (b=0.26, SE=0.009, p<.01), episodic memory (b = 0.045, SE=0.012, p<.001), and processing speed (b=0.383, SE=0.135, p<.01). Number of historical events was not significantly associated with working memory or C-MMSE. The positive relationship between historical events and some cognitive domains suggests a potential resilience effect after experiencing historical events. Future research should examine whether participants found events stressful and whether there are differential relationships to cognitive function.

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The Association Between Cognitive Function and Preventive Care Service Utilization Among U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1180 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 366-367

Author(s):

Zhing Loong Poh ◽

Dexia Kong ◽

Mengting Li ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Preventive Care ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Preventive Healthcare ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Care Services ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Preventive Care Services ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Preventive healthcare utilization is an important aspect of medical practice that facilitates the identification of chronic diseases at an early stage and increases options for treatment. Cognitive function plays an important role in individuals’ utilization of preventive care services. However, our understanding of the relationship between cognitive function and preventive care utilization is limited, particularly in older minority aging populations. The study aims to assess the association between cognitive function and preventive healthcare utilization among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data were obtained from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Five instruments were used to measure global cognition, including the Mini-Mental State Examination, East Boston Memory Test Immediate Recall and Delayed Recall, Digit Span Backwards, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Preventive care services included immunization (i.e. flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B vaccines) and cancer screenings (i.e. colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate). Multivariable regression analyses were used. The findings showed that higher level of global cognition was associated with higher utilization of pneumonia vaccination (OR=1.32, 95% CI= 1.14-1.52), hepatitis B vaccination (OR=1.24, 95% CI= 1.05-1.47), colon exam (OR=1.23, 95% CI= 1.07-1.41), mammogram (OR=1.46, 95% CI= 1.22-1.73), breast exam (OR=1.23, 95% CI= 1.04-1.46), and cervical exam (OR=1.38, 95% CI= 1.15-1.65). Future longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between cognitive function and preventive care utilization among U.S. Chinese older adults. Study findings underscore the need to understand preventive care utilization patterns among U.S. Chinese older adults with low cognitive function.

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COGNITIVE AGING IN OLDER MINORITY POPULATIONS: LONGITUDINAL EVIDENCE FROM U.S. CHINESE OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S814-S814

Author(s):

XinQi Dong ◽

Melissa Simon

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Longitudinal Data ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Well Being ◽

Population Based ◽

Minority Populations ◽

Physical Factors ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

The Relationship

Abstract The increasing diversity in the aging population warrants systematic investigations regarding ethnic differences related to cognitive aging and ethnicity-unique risk factors. However, due to the great paucity of population-based longitudinal data on cognitive aging in racial/ethnic minority populations, our knowledge in this area remain limited. The purpose of this symposium is, therefore, to examine various psychological, socio-cultural, and physical factors associated with cognitive aging among U.S. Chinese older adults, representing one of the biggest and fastest growing older minority populations nationally. Using longitudinal data from a population-based prospective cohort study, namely The Population Study of ChINese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) with a sample size of 3,157, this symposium presents findings from five research projects. Session 1 investigates the relationship between psychological well-being and change of cognitive function over four years. Session 2 and 3 examine the relationships between two socio-cultural factors and cognitive function. Specifically, session 2 investigates the associations between immigration-related factors and the incidence of cognitive impairment. Session 3 explores the relationship between cognitive function and Tai-Chi practice. Session 4 and 5 examine the relationships between two physical health indicators and cognitive aging. Specifically, session 4 examines the relationship between physical function and change of cognitive function over two years. Session 5 explores the association between body mass index and cognitive function decline over two years. Taken together, this symposium aims to further our knowledge of cognitive aging among ethnically/culturally diverse populations. The research findings will identify unique factors related to cognitive aging in older minority populations.

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Is Social Network a Protective Factor for Cognitive Impairment in US Chinese Older Adults? Findings from the PINE Study

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000485616 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 246-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mengting Li ◽

Xinqi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Social Network ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Network Size ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Global Cognition

Background: Social network has been identified as a protective factor for cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between social network and global and subdomains of cognitive function remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to provide an analytic framework to examine quantity, composition, and quality of social network and investigate the association between social network, global cognition, and cognitive domains among US Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a community-engaged, population-based epidemiological study of US Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in the greater Chicago area, with a sample size of 3,157. Social network was assessed by network size, volume of contact, proportion kin, proportion female, proportion co-resident, and emotional closeness. Cognitive function was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, executive function, working memory, and Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (C-MMSE). Linear regression and quantile regression were performed. Results: Every 1-point increase in network size (b = 0.048, p < 0.001) and volume of contact (b = 0.049, p < 0.01) and every 1-point decrease in proportion kin (b = -0.240, p < 0.01) and proportion co-resident (b = -0.099, p < 0.05) were associated with higher level of global cognition. Similar trends were observed in specific cognitive domains, including episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and C-MMSE. However, emotional closeness was only significantly associated with C-MMSE (b = 0.076, p < 0.01). Social network has differential effects on female versus male older adults. Conclusion: This study found that social network dimensions have different relationships with global and domains of cognitive function. Quantitative and structural aspects of social network were essential to maintain an optimal level of cognitive function. Qualitative aspects of social network were protective factors for C-MMSE. It is necessary for public health practitioners to consider interventions that enhance different aspects of older adults' social network.

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Social Isolation and Cognitive Function: Evidence From Older Chinese Americans

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1628 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 504-504

Author(s):

Dexia Kong ◽

Ying-Yu Chao ◽

Fengyan Tang ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Networks ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Chinese Americans ◽

Potential Health ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Older Chinese ◽

The Relationship ◽

Older Chinese Americans

Abstract Chinese older adults are particularly vulnerable to social isolation due to various barriers they face in developing/maintaining social networks (i.e. limited English proficiency and transportation barriers) in the U.S. However, the prevalence of social isolation and its potential health consequences in this rapidly growing minority aging population remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, the current study examines the prevalence of social isolation, and the relationship between social isolation and cognitive function among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data were obtained from the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago collected between 2011 and 2013 (N=3,157). A four-item index (including living alone, not married, lack of confidant, and low participation in social activities) was constructed to assess social isolation (range: 0 to 4, a score of ≥2 was used to identify individuals who were most isolated). Cognitive function was measured by five validated instruments (range: -2.8 to 2.0). Nearly 22% of the sample were socially isolated. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that social isolation accounted for 44% of variance in global cognitive functioning. Chinese older adults with greater levels of social isolation had poorer overall cognitive function (B= -0.05, SE=0.01, p=0.001). Study findings highlight the importance of addressing social isolation in cognitive aging among older Chinese Americans. Culturally tailored interventions facilitating the development of supportive social networks/ support have the potential to mitigate cognitive decline in this population. Future longitudinal studies need to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between social isolation and cognitive function. Practice implications will be discussed.

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Associations Between Smoking and Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling U.S. Chinese Older Adults in Chicago

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.505 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 155-155

Author(s):

Shengxi Sun ◽

Nannan Zhang ◽

Mengting Li ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Perceptual Speed ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Never Smokers

Abstract Previous studies on smoking and cognition reported mixed findings. The inconsistent results are partially explained by the fact that they were limited to specific populations and using different cognitive function measurements. This association between smoking and cognition has rarely been studied in the rapidly increasing U.S. Chinese older adults. This study aims to determine if smoking status and smoking amount are associated with global cognition and cognitive domains in U.S. Chinese older adults. Data was extracted PINE. Five cognitive function tests (East Boston Memory Test, East Boston Memory Delayed Recall, Digital Backward test, Symbol digit Modality Test, and MMSE) were used to measure cognitive domains including episodic memory, working memory, and processing speed. Five cognitive tests were converted to z scores and averaged to generate global cognition. Self-reported smoking status was used for generating smoking status and smoking amount (pack-years). Linear regression was used. The results showed that former smokers had lower global cognition (b=-0.111, SE=0.053, p<.05) and perceptual speed (b=-0.185, SE=0.066, p<.01) than never smokers; current smokers had lower global cognition (b=-0.240, SE=0.060, p<.001), working memory (b=-0.340, SE=0.083, p<.001) and perceptual speed (b=-0.370, SE=0.075, p<.001) compared with never smokers. Smoking pack-years is negatively associated with global cognition (b=-0.003, SE=0.001,p<.001), episodic memory (b=-0.005, SE=0.001, p<.001), and perceptual speed (b=-0.004, SE=0.001, p<.001). Findings revealed that among all smokers, current smokers had the worst cognition and heavier smoking was associated with worse cognition. Policymakers could take measures in lowering smoking amount among U.S. Chinese older adults to protect their cognition.

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Stressful Life Events and Late-Life Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults: Findings from a Population-Based Cohort Study in the Greater Chicago Area

Journal of Ageing and Longevity ◽

10.3390/jal1010004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 24-35

Author(s):

Gabriella C. Dong ◽

Mengting Li

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Life Events ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Stressful Life ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Global Cognition

The majority of studies on stressful life events focus on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, while less is known about whether the cumulative exposure to stressful life events over the life course will deteriorate cognitive function. This study aims to investigate the association between lifetime stressful life events and cognitive function in an immigrant population. The data were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a sample of 3125 U.S. Chinese older adults in 2017–2019. Twelve types of stressful life events were assessed: physical assault, residential fires, sexual assault, miscarriage, abortion, imprisonment, being falsely accused, divorce, death of a loved one, being robbed, experiencing cancer, and being homeless. Cognitive function was measured through global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Linear regression was performed. Older adults who experienced a higher number of life events were associated with higher global cognition (b = 0.11, SE = 0.01, p < 0.001), episodic memory (b = 0.14, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001), working memory (b = 0.17, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), processing speed (b = 1.92, SE = 0.18, p < 0.001), and MMSE (b = 0.29, SE = 0.07, p < 0.001), while controlling for age, gender, income, education, medical comorbidities, ADL, and depressive symptoms. In contrast with earlier studies, we identified the positive relationships between aggregate and individual life events and cognition. Older adults who had prior experience with stressful life events could demonstrate an advantage over those without such experiences. In addition, older adults who experienced life event(s) during adulthood and old age are associated with higher cognitive function. Further studies could investigate how individuals respond to stressful life events and how the underlying resilience mechanism would promote cognitive function.

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ORAL HEALTH AND COGNITION AMONG U.S. COMMUNITY-DWELLING CHINESE OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1269 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S350-S350

Author(s):

Darina V Petrovsky ◽

Bei Wu ◽

Weiyu Mao ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Future Research ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Health Related ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Rate Of Decline

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between tooth/gums symptoms and changes in cognitive function. We used data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago, a two-wave epidemiological study of 2,713 U.S. Chinese older adults. We selected self-reported oral (tooth and gum) symptoms as independent variables. We measured global function and three cognitive domains: episodic memory, executive function and working memory. Adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, participants who reported having teeth symptoms at baseline, experienced their global cognition and episodic memory decrease (both p<0.05). Participants who reported having teeth symptoms at baseline, experienced a faster rate of decline in global cognition for every additional year. However, this effect disappeared once we adjusted for all covariates. We found no significant relationship between baseline gum symptoms and change of cognitive function. Future research directions, clinical and policy implications will be discussed.

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Art Attendance and Change in Cognitive Function Among U.S. Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/07334648211017339 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 073346482110173

Author(s):

Darina V. Petrovsky ◽

Bei Wu ◽

Nancy A. Hodgson ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Art Activities ◽

The Relationship

Engaging in leisure activities that are cognitively simulating and enjoyable may be protective against cognitive decline in older adults; yet, few studies have examined this topic. We used two waves of data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly and ran mixed-effects regression models to examine the relationship between baseline art activity attendance (including attending museum, musical arts, or both) and change in cognitive function (global, episodic memory, working memory, and executive function) among 2,703 older U.S. Chinese adults. We found that compared with older adults who did not attend any art activities, those who reported attending both art activities experienced a slower rate of change in episodic memory (estimate = −0.07; SE = 0.03; p = .01) and executive function (estimate = −0.06; SE = .03; p = .04). Our study findings point to the importance of attending art-based culture events among U.S. Chinese older adults.

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Social isolation, rather than loneliness, is associated with cognitive decline in older adults: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291720001026 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Bin Yu ◽

Andrew Steptoe ◽

Yongjie Chen ◽

Xiaohua Jia

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Mental Status ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Confounding Variables

Abstract Background Social isolation and loneliness have each been associated with cognitive decline, but most previous research is limited to Western populations. This study examined the relationships of social isolation and loneliness on cognitive function among Chinese older adults. Methods This study used two waves of data (2011 and 2015) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and analyses were restricted to those respondents aged 50 and older. Social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive function were measured at baseline. Follow-up measures on cognitive function were obtained for 7761 participants (mean age = 60.97, s.d. = 7.31; male, 50.8%). Lagged dependent variable models adjusted for confounding factors were used to evaluate the association between baseline isolation, loneliness, and cognitive function at follow-up. Results Loneliness was significantly associated with the cognitive decline at follow-up (episodic memory: β = −0.03, p < 0.01; mental status: β = −0.03, p < 0.01) in the partially adjusted models. These associations became insignificant after additional confounding variables (chronic diseases, health behaviors, disabilities, and depressive symptoms) were taken into account (all p > 0.05). By contrast, social isolation was significantly associated with decreases in all cognitive function measures at follow-up (episodic memory: β = −0.05, p < 0.001; mental status: β = −0.03, p < 0.01) even after controlling for loneliness and all confounding variables. Conclusions Social isolation is associated with cognitive decline in Chinese older adults, and the relationships are independent of loneliness. These findings expand our knowledge about the links between social relationships and the cognitive function in non-Western populations.

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