Structural and Functional Aspects of Social Relationships and Episodic Memory: Between-Person and Within-Person Associations in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Gizem Hülür
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Contact Frequency

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> A growing body of research has documented associations between social relationships and cognitive function, while findings are less clear regarding specific aspects of social relationships that are relevant to change in cognitive function. Furthermore, it is unclear whether associations differ at the between-person and within-person levels. <b><i>Method:</i></b> The present study used 8-year longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine the role of structural (partnered/married, number of social network partners, and contact frequency) as well as functional (support, strain, and loneliness) aspects of social relationships for episodic memory at the between-person and within-person levels. Analyses are based on up to 3 waves of data from 19,297 participants (mean age at baseline = 66 years, SD = 10, range = 50–104; 58% women). Control variables include age at baseline, gender, education, functional health, and depressive symptoms. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Findings showed that at the between-person level, most structural and functional aspects were related to levels of memory performance, with participants with higher numbers of social network members, more frequent contact, and more positive experiences outperforming others. An exception was a higher number of family (child or relative) relationships. At the within-person level, on occasions where participants had a higher number of close family relationships than usual, had more social contact than usual, and felt less lonely than usual, they also showed higher than usual episodic memory performance. Finally, negative effects of social strain and loneliness on episodic memory performance at the between-person level were moderated by social network size, indicating that effects were more negative among individuals with larger social networks. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Both structural and functional aspects of social relationships contribute to between-person differences in levels and fluctuations of episodic memory performance. Ups and downs of relationships to relatives, social contact, and feelings of loneliness contribute to ups and downs of episodic memory. Potential mechanisms underlying these associations are discussed.

35 Social Contact Mode and 15-Year Episodic Memory Trajectories in Older Adults with and Without Hearing Loss: the Elsa Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i7-i11
Author(s):  
S Rafnsson ◽  
A Maharani ◽  
G Tampubolon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Contact Mode

Abstract Introduction Frequent social contact benefits cognition in later life although evidence is lacking on the potential importance of the modes chosen by older adults for interacting with others in their social network. Method 11,513 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) provided baseline information on hearing status and social contact mode and frequency of use. Multilevel growth curve models compared episodic memory (immediate and delayed recall) at baseline and long-term in participants who interacted frequently (offline only or offline and online combined), compared to infrequently, with others in their social network. Results Frequent offline (β = 0.29; p &lt; 0.05) and combined offline and online (β = 0.76; p &lt; 0.001) social interactions predicted better episodic memory after adjustment for multiple confounding factors. We observed positive long-term influences of combined offline and online interactions on memory in participants without hearing loss (β = 0.48, p = 0.001) but not of strictly offline interactions (β = 0.00, p = 0.970). In those with impaired hearing, long-term memory was positively influenced by both modes of engagement (offline only: β = 0.93, p &lt; 0.001; combined online and offline: β = 1.47, p &lt; 0.001). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusion Supplementing conventional social interactions with online communication modes may help older adults, especially those living with hearing loss, sustain, and benefit cognitively from, personal relationships.

scholarly journals Social Relationships in Early Life and Episodic Memory in Mid- and Late Life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenmei Zhang ◽  
Hongwei Xu ◽  
Lydia W Li ◽  
Jinyu Liu ◽  
Seung-won Emily Choi
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
Variable Approach ◽  
Retrospective Reports ◽  
Lagged Dependent Variable

Abstract Objectives This study examines the longitudinal relationships between retrospective reports of early-life social relationships (i.e., having good friends, parent–child relationship quality, and childhood neighborhood social cohesion) and episodic memory in China. Methods We analyzed 2 waves of data (2011 and 2015) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The analytical sample included 9,285 respondents aged 45 and older at baseline. A lagged dependent variable approach was used to estimate the associations between measures of early-life social relationships and episodic memory change at the study’s 4-year follow-up. Results Retrospective reports of better early-life social relationships are significantly associated with higher levels of episodic memory performance in 2015 among middle-aged and older Chinese, controlling for episodic memory in 2011, childhood socioeconomic status, adulthood sociodemographic variables, and the history of stroke. Educational attainment accounts for a significant portion of the associations between early-life social relationships and episodic memory. In contrast, mental health and social engagement in adulthood account for a small part of these associations. Discussion The findings suggest that positive early-life social relationships are beneficial for episodic memory in mid- and late life, and more research is needed to examine the underlying mechanisms.

Cross-Lagged Modeling of Cognition and Social Network Size in the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Nicole S Casey ◽  
Zhixin Liu ◽  
Nicole A Kochan ◽  
Perminder S Sachdev ◽  
Henry Brodaty
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Ageing Study

Abstract Objectives This study assessed whether reciprocal relationships exist between cognitive function and the social network size of older adults, controlling for age, sex, education, medical conditions, and depressive symptoms. Methods Data were collected at biennial follow-ups over 6 years in the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, a longitudinal cohort study including 1,037 community-based Sydney residents aged 70–90 years without dementia at baseline. We used random intercept cross-lagged panel models to investigate reciprocal associations between social network size and scores in each of 7 cognitive domains including a global score. Results Standardized models indicated that within-person deviation in expected language score predicted deviation in expected network size. Within-person deviation in prior expected social network size predicted deviation in expected executive function at year 6. Cross-lagged effects in models of both global cognition and memory, respectively, could not be attributed solely to within-person change. Discussion Findings support a co-constitutive view of cognitive function and social relationships in older age. Although both cognition and network size declined over time, slower than expected decline in language ability predicted less than expected contraction in social networks. A similar influence of network size on executive functioning indicated that relationships with friends and family outside of the home contributed significantly to the maintenance of higher order cognitive abilities in older late life. Diverse patterns of influence between cognitive domains and social network size over 6 years underscore the importance of assessing the complex and nuanced interplay between brain health and social relationships in older age.

scholarly journals Social Contact Mode and 15-Year Episodic Memory Trajectories in Older Adults With and Without Hearing Loss: Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson ◽  
Asri Maharani ◽  
Gindo Tampubolon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Contact Mode ◽  
English Longitudinal Study

Abstract Objectives Frequent social contact benefits cognition in later life although evidence is lacking on the potential relevance of the modes chosen by older adults, including those living with hearing loss, for interacting with others in their social network. Method 11,418 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing provided baseline information on hearing status and social contact mode and frequency of use. Multilevel growth curve models compared episodic memory (immediate and delayed recall) at baseline and longitudinally in participants who interacted frequently (offline only or offline and online combined), compared to infrequently, with others in their social network. Results Frequent offline (B = 0.23; SE = 0.09) and combined offline and online (B = 0.71; SE = 0.09) social interactions predicted better episodic memory after adjustment for multiple confounders. We observed positive, longitudinal associations between combined offline and online interactions and episodic memory in participants without hearing loss (B = 0.50, SE = 0.11) but not with strictly offline interactions (B = 0.01, SE = 0.11). In those with hearing loss, episodic memory was positively related to both modes of engagement (offline only: B = 0.79, SE = 0.20; combined online and offline: B = 1.27, SE = 0.20). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Discussion Supplementing conventional social interactions with online communication modes may help older adults, especially those living with hearing loss, sustain, and benefit cognitively from, personal relationships.

scholarly journals Social relationships and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 social study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Sommerlad ◽  
Louise Marston ◽  
Jonathan Huntley ◽  
Gill Livingston ◽  
Gemma Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Social Study ◽  
Empathic Concern ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Contact Frequency

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to social and physical distancing measures that reduced social contact and support. We explored whether people with more frequent and supportive social contact had fewer depressive symptoms during the UK Spring 2020 ‘lockdown’, whether this applied to face-to-face and remote electronic contact, and whether people with higher empathy levels, or more frequent pre-COVID social contact with others were more protected.MethodsUK dwelling participants aged ≥18 in the internet-based longitudinal COVID-19 Social Study completed up to 22 weekly questionnaires about frequency of face-to-face and phone/video social contact, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms assessed with the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Mixed linear models examined associations between social contact and support, and depressive symptoms. We examined for interaction by empathic concern and perspective taking and pre-COVID social contact frequency.ResultsIn 71,117 people with mean age 49 years (standard deviation 15) we found that daily face-to-face or phone/video contact was associated with lower PHQ-9 scores (mean difference 0.258 (95% confidence interval 0.225, 0.290) and 0.117 (0.080, 0.154) respectively) compared to having no contact. Those with high social support scored 1.836 (1.801, 1.871) PHQ-9 points lower than those with low support. The odds ratio for depression for those with daily face-to-face social contact compared to no face-to-face contact was 0.712 (0.678, 0.747). Daily compared to no phone/video contact was associated with odds ratio for depression 0.825 (0.779, 0.873). And reporting high, compared to low, social support was associated with 0.145 (95%CI 0.138, 0.152) odds ratio for depression. The negative association between social relationships and depressive symptoms was stronger for those with high empathic concern, perspective taking and usual sociability.ConclusionsThose who had more face-to-face contact during lockdown had fewer depressive symptoms. Phone or video communication were beneficial but less so. People who were usually more sociable or had higher empathy were more likely to have depressive symptoms during enforced reduced social contact. Results have implications both for our management of COVID-19 and potential future pandemics, and for our understanding of the relationship between social factors and mental health.

Structural and functional social network attributes moderate the association of self-rated health with mental health in midlife and older adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim D. Windsor ◽  
Pilar Rioseco ◽  
Katherine L. Fiori ◽  
Rachel G. Curtis ◽  
Heather Booth
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Social Exchanges ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Contact Frequency ◽  
Negative Social Exchanges

ABSTRACTBackground:Social relationships are multifaceted, and different social network components can operate via different processes to influence well-being. This study examined associations of social network structure and relationship quality (positive and negative social exchanges) with mental health in midlife and older adults. The focus was on both direct associations of network structure and relationship quality with mental health, and whether these social network attributes moderated the association of self-rated health (SRH) with mental health.Methods:Analyses were based on survey data provided by 2001 (Mean age = 65, SD = 8.07) midlife and older adults. We used Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to classify participants into network types based on network structure (partner status, network size, contact frequency, and activity engagement), and used continuous measures of positive and negative social exchanges to operationalize relationship quality. Regression analysis was used to test moderation.Results:LCA revealed network types generally consistent with those reported in previous studies. Participants in more diverse networks reported better mental health than those categorized into a restricted network type after adjustment for age, sex, education, and employment status. Analysis of moderation indicated that those with poorer SRH were less likely to report poorer mental health if they were classified into more diverse networks. A similar moderation effect was also evident for positive exchanges.Conclusions:The findings suggest that both quantity and quality of social relationships can play a role in buffering against the negative implications of physical health decline for mental health.

scholarly journals Family Relationships and Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling U.S. Chinese Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Mengting Li ◽  
Man Guo ◽  
Meredith Stensland ◽  
XinQi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Global Cognition

A broad literature has explored racial disparities in cognitive aging. Research incorporating sociocultural factors would provide a more comprehensive understanding of minority aging. This study aims to investigate the role of family typology in cognition among U.S. Chinese immigrants. Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Family typology included tight-knit, unobligated ambivalent, commanding conflicted, and detached typologies. Cognition was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Linear and quantile regressions were used. Older adults with detached and commanding conflicted typologies reported lower global cognition than those with unobligated ambivalent typology. Detached, commanding conflicted, and tight-knit typologies were associated with poorer performance in episodic memory, working memory and MMSE than unobligated ambivalent typology, respectively. Social service providers could be aware of multifaceted family relationships when developing interventions for cognitive function and understand family typology as a whole.

scholarly journals Social relationships and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 Social Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Andrew Sommerlad ◽  
Louise Marston ◽  
Jonathan Huntley ◽  
Gill Livingston ◽  
Gemma Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Social Study ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Contact Frequency ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to measures that reduced social contact and support. We explored whether UK residents with more frequent or supportive social contact had fewer depressive symptoms during March−August 2020, and potential factors moderating the relationship. Methods A convenience sample of UK dwelling participants aged ⩾18 in the internet-based longitudinal COVID-19 Social Study completed up to 22 weekly questionnaires about face-to-face and phone/video social contact frequency, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Mixed linear models examined associations between social contact and support, and depressive symptoms. We examined for interaction by empathic concern, perspective taking and pre-COVID social contact frequency. Results In 71 117 people with mean age 49 years (standard deviation 15), those with high perceived social support scored 1.836 (1.801–1.871) points lower on PHQ-9 than those with low support. Daily face-to-face or phone/video contact was associated with lower depressive symptoms (0.258 (95% confidence interval 0.225–0.290) and 0.117 (0.080–0.154), respectively) compared to no contact. The negative association between social relationships and depressive symptoms was stronger for those with high empathic concern, perspective taking and usual sociability. Conclusions We found during lockdown that those with higher quality or more face-to-face or phone/video contact had fewer depressive symptoms. Contact quality was more strongly associated than quantity. People who were usually more sociable or had higher empathy had more depressive symptoms during enforced reduced contact. The results have implications for COVID-19 and potential future pandemic management, and for understanding the relationship between social factors and mental health.

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