Importance of Activity Engagement and Neighborhood to Cognitive Function Among Older Chinese Americans

This study investigates the differential associations of activity engagement and perceived neighborhood characteristics (i.e., cohesion, disorder, sense of community) with cognitive measures. Using data of 2,713 Chinese older adults in Chicago, who completed two interviews between 2011 and 2015, we identified three activity domains: reading, social, and games. In general, engagement in more reading and social activities was associated with better baseline cognitive function, but the positive effects tapered off over time in some cases. Neighborhood cohesion had both direct and indirect effects on cognitive function. Engagement in social activities mediated the neighborhood cohesion effects, that is, living in a cohesive neighborhood promoted social activities and consequently benefited cognitive function. Findings speak to the importance of activity engagement and neighborhood cohesion for cognition among the U.S. Chinese older adults. Future research is needed to investigate the longitudinal relationships of activity engagement and environmental factors with cognitive change.

Download Full-text

Education, Activity Engagement, and Cognitive Function in US Chinese Older Adults

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ◽

10.1111/jgs.15560 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 67 (S3) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wei Zhang ◽

Fengyan Tang ◽

Yiwei Chen ◽

Merril Silverstein ◽

Sizhe Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Activity Engagement ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Education Activity

Download Full-text

Informant-Reported Cognitive Decline and Activity Engagement across Four Years in a Community Sample

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000475594 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 63 (5) ◽

pp. 469-478 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Diane E. Hosking ◽

Da Jiang ◽

Kerry A. Sargent-Cox ◽

Kaarin J. Anstey

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Community Sample ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

Mental Activity ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Engagement ◽

Change Scores

Background: Subtle age-related cognitive decline may be associated with the capacity to remain engaged in mental, physical, and social activities. Informant reports of cognitive decline potentially provide additional information to psychometric tests on change in everyday cognitive function relevant to activity engagement. Objective: To investigate relations between decline in everyday cognitive function as assessed by informant report and activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A sample of cognitively normal older adults was drawn from the 2 latest waves of the PATH Through Life Study (n = 1,391; mean age 74.5 ± 1.5, 48.4% female). PATH is a 16-year longitudinal cohort study set in the Canberra/Queanbeyan district, Australia. Assessments were carried out at baseline, and at 3 subsequent time-points 4 years apart. At wave-4, the IQCODE, an informant measure of 4-year cognitive decline was provided by a spouse, family member, or friend of each participant. Activity engagement was assessed by the abbreviated RIASEC Mental Activity List, self-reported frequency and duration of physical activity (Whitehall Questionnaire) and the Lubben Social Network Scale that assessed interaction with family/friends. Participants provided demographic information, self-reported health status (SF-12), and responses to the Goldberg Depression Scale. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) were used to measure objective 4-year cognitive change. Those with MMSE score of ≤27 were excluded. Results: IQCODE score predicted disengagement from mental activities over 4 years in cognitively healthy adults (β = -0.056, standard error [SE] = 0.019, p = 0.004). This association was robust to covariate control and change on the SDMT which was also significantly related to mental activity disengagement. In models adjusted for change scores on the SDMT and the CVLT, the IQCODE was associated with less physical (β = -0.692, SE = 0.24, p = 0.004) and social engagement (β -0.046, SE = 0.021, p = 0.032), but relationships were attenuated with the inclusion of covariates. Conclusion: Informant-reported cognitive decline in a non-clinical sample was linked to activities that support cognitive health. Associations were robust to adjustment for cognitive change scores. Utilising informant reports prior to the manifestation of clinically relevant decline may identify those who would benefit most from personalised activity interventions.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Hearing loss and cognitive function among Chinese older adults: The role of participation in leisure activities

10.21203/rs.2.20305/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jiamin Gao ◽

Nicole M. Armstrong ◽

Jennifer A. Deal ◽

Frank R. Lin ◽

Ping He

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Leisure Activity ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

Activity Engagement

Abstract Background Hearing loss, a highly prevalent sensory impairment affecting older adults, is a risk factor for cognition decline. However, there were very limited studies on this association in low-resource countries. This study aimed to assess whether having hearing loss were associated with cognitive decline and engagement in leisure activities modified this association among Chinese elderly. Methods Using data from the nationally representative survey of China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) between 2011-2014, 9,710 individuals aged 65 years old or above with self-reported measures of hearing status and global cognition, as measured by the Modified Mini Mental Examination (MMSE), were included in this study. Fixed-effects models were used to estimate whether leisure activity engagement moderated the association of self-perceived hearing loss with global cognitive change in the overall sample and by sex. Results People with self-reported hearing loss was associated with cognitive impairment, with an odds ratio of 2.48 [1.22, 5.06]. Sex difference on the association of hearing loss and cognitive impairment was not found. Self-reported hearing loss was associated with cognitive function decline with 8% [-1.22, -0.39] increase in risk compared with those with normal hearing. Frequent engagement in leisure activities moderated the association between hearing loss and cognition. Actively participating in leisure activities modified the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline in males, while leisure activity engagement did not modify any associations among females. Conclusion Hearing loss was associated with cognitive decline, and leisure activities engagement moderated the association among males rather than females.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

A Comparison of Cognitive Function in Pine Study to Health and Retirement Study & CHARLS Study

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3390 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 924-924

Author(s):

Charu Verma ◽

Mailun Zhang ◽

Mengting Li ◽

Stephanie Bergren ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Conditional Logistic Regression ◽

Chinese Americans ◽

Conditional Logistic Regression Model ◽

Cognitive Health ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

The Us

Abstract Healthy immigrant theory assumes that immigrants have better health than natives, while it remains unclear whether this theory applies to older Chinese Americans with respect to cognitive health. The objective of this study was to estimate the differences in cognitive function between the US and Chinese older adults. PINE (n=3,157) (2011-2013) with Chinese older adults was compared to HRS study (2010-2011) (n=22,034) and HRS sister CHARLS (n=17,708) (2010-2011). Cognitive function was assessed by episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and MMSE. Cognition impairment was defined by 1.5 standard deviations below mean of z scores. After 1:1 matched samples determined by propensity score and verified by McNemar and Cohen’s Kappa test, conditional logistic regression model with demographic variables controlled was used to assess the differences between the three studies. Multivariable analyses results showed that participants from PINE are 5.667 (OR= 5.667, 95% CI 3.893-8.248, p < .001) times more likely to have cognitive impairment in comparison to HRS’s and 0.166 (OR= 0.166, 95% CI 0.136-0.203, p < .001) times less likely in comparison to CHARLS’s. Result demonstrated that Chinese older adults living in the US have a higher likelihood of cognitive impairment in comparison to the US older adults but less likely than those living in China. Healthy immigrant theory is partially supported in Chinese Americans. Immigrants with better cognitive health are likely to migrate to the US, but limited social engagement in the receiving communities might be a risk factor for cognitive function, leading to worse cognitive health than natives.

Download Full-text

Hearing loss and cognitive function among Chinese older adults: The role of participation in leisure activities

10.21203/rs.2.20305/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jiamin Gao ◽

Nicole M. Armstrong ◽

Jennifer A. Deal ◽

Frank R. Lin ◽

Ping He

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Leisure Activity ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

Activity Engagement

Abstract BackgroundHearing loss, a highly prevalent sensory impairment affecting older adults, is a risk factor for cognition decline. However, there were very limited studies on this association in low-resource countries. This study aimed to assess whether having hearing loss were associated with cognitive decline and engagement in leisure activities modified this association among Chinese elderly.MethodsUsing data from the nationally representative survey of China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) between 2011-2014, 9,710 individuals aged 65 years old or above with self-reported measures of hearing status and global cognition, as measured by the Modified Mini Mental Examination (MMSE), were included in this study. Fixed-effects models were used to estimate whether leisure activity engagement moderated the association of self-perceived hearing loss with global cognitive change in the overall sample and by sex.ResultsPeople with self-reported hearing loss was associated with cognitive impairment, with an odds ratio of 2.48 [1.22, 5.06]. Sex difference on the association of hearing loss and cognitive impairment was not found. Self-reported hearing loss was associated with cognitive function decline with 8% [-1.22, -0.39] increase in risk compared with those with normal hearing. Frequent engagement in leisure activities moderated the association between hearing loss and cognition. Actively participating in leisure activities modified the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline in males, while leisure activity engagement did not modify any associations among females.ConclusionHearing loss was associated with cognitive decline, and leisure activities engagement moderated the association among males rather than females.

Download Full-text

Social Engagement and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 343-343

Author(s):

Abbey Hamlin ◽

A Zarina Kraal ◽

Laura Zahodne

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Activities ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.

Download Full-text

Presence and Levels of Resilience and Its Sociodemographic Correlates in Older Chinese Americans

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1253 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 389-389

Author(s):

Jieyang Zheng ◽

Dexia Kong ◽

Mengting Li ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Rank Order ◽

Chinese Americans ◽

Research Approach ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Sociodemographic Correlates ◽

Older Chinese ◽

Older Chinese Americans

Abstract Resilience is defined as a personal quality that enables growth in knowledge, understanding and self-actualization in the face of adversity and life disruptions. Low levels of resilience can dispose older adults to higher risks for negative health outcomes in the aftermath of traumatic events. However, we have limited knowledge of resilience among minority aging populations. This study aims to examine the presence and levels of resilience and its sociodemographic correlates among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly, an epidemiology study of U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area. Guided by a community-based participatory research approach, a total of 3,036 Chinese older adults aged 60 and above participated in face-to-face interviews from 2015 to 2017. Spearman’s rank-order coefficient was utilized to test correlation. A 10-item validated Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson resilience scale was used to assess resilience. In our sample, 59.7% were female, and the average age was 75. The mean resilience score was 26.9, ranging from 1 to 40. U.S. Chinese older adults who were younger, male, married, had higher education and income, fewer children, better health status and quality of life, and improved health and have lived fewer years in the U.S. reported higher levels of resilience. Future longitudinal research is needed to investigate the protective effects of resilience among older Chinese Americans against mental and physical distress.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text