Cognition across the Lifespan: Investigating Age, Sex, and Other Sociodemographic Influences

Maintaining cognitive health across the lifespan has been the focus of a multi-billion-dollar industry. In order to guide treatment and interventions, a clear understanding of the way that proficiency in different cognitive domains develops and declines in both sexes across the lifespan is necessary. Additionally, there are sex differences in a range of other factors, including psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and substance use, that are also known to affect cognition, although the scale of this interaction is unknown. Our objective was to assess differences in cognitive function across the lifespan in men and women in a large, representative sample. Leveraging online cognitive testing, a sample of 9451 men and 9451 women ranging in age from 12 to 69 (M = 28.21) matched on socio-demographic factors were studied. Segmented regression was used to model three cognitive domains—working memory, verbal abilities, and reasoning. Sex differences in all three domains were minimal; however, after broadening the sample in terms of socio-demographic factors, sex differences appeared. These results suggest that cognition across the lifespan differs for men and women, but is greatly influenced by environmental factors. We discuss these findings within a framework that describes sex differences in cognition as likely guided by a complex interplay between biology and environment.

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Cognition across the lifespan: age, gender, and sociodemographic influences

10.1101/804765 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

E. S. Nichols ◽

C. J. Wild ◽

A. M. Owen ◽

A. Soddu

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Cognitive Testing ◽

Clear Understanding ◽

Men And Women ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Verbal Abilities ◽

Socio Demographic Factors ◽

Large Representative

AbstractMaintaining cognitive health across the lifespan has been the focus of a multi-billion-dollar industry. In order to guide treatment and interventions, a clear understanding of the way that proficiency in different cognitive domains develops and declines across the lifespan is necessary. Additionally, there are gender differences in a range of other factors, such as anxiety and substance use, that are also known to affect cognition, although the scale of this interaction is unknown. Our objective was to assess differences in cognitive function across the lifespan in men and women in a large, representative sample. Leveraging online cognitive testing, a sample of 18,902 men and women ranging in age from 12-69 matched on socio-demographic factors were studied. Segmented regression was used to model three cognitive domains – short-term memory, verbal abilities, and reasoning. Gender differences in all three domains were minimal; however, after broadening the sample in terms of socio-demographic factors, gender differences appeared. These results suggest that cognition across the lifespan differs for men and women, but is greatly influenced by environmental factors. We discuss these findings within a framework that describes gender differences in cognition as likely guided by a complex interplay between biology and environment.

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The association between sociodemographic characteristics and dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1007/s40520-019-01449-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (11) ◽

pp. 2319-2327 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Per Wändell ◽

Axel C. Carlsson ◽

Xinjun Li ◽

Danijela Gasevic ◽

Jan Sundquist ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Economic Status ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Middle Level ◽

Men And Women ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Increased Risk ◽

National Patient ◽

Socio Demographic Factors

Abstract Objectives Association between socio-demographic factors and dementia risk is studied in general but not for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods We studied AF patients ≥ 45 years in Sweden 1998–2012 (n = 537,513) using the Total Population Register for socio-demographic factors, the Swedish Cause of Death Register, and the National Patient Register (NPR) for incident dementia. Cox regression with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used for the association between exposure and outcome, adjusting for age and comorbidities. Results Totally 30,332 patients (5.6%) were diagnosed with dementia during the follow-up (mean 5.4 years). Of these, 14,097 were men (4.9%) and 16,235 were women (6.5%). Lower educational levels (reference: highest level) were associated with increased dementia, HRs (95% CI) for basic school for men 1.23 (1.18–1.29) and women 1.36 (1.30–1.42), and middle-level school for men 1.17 (1.11–1.22) and women 1.28 (1.22–1.34). Divorced men and women (reference: married) showed increased risk of dementia, HR 1.07 (1.01–1.13) and 1.12 (1.06–1.18), respectively, while widowed men showed lower risk, HR 0.84 (0.80–0.88). High deprivation neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES; reference: medium level) was associated with increased dementia in men, HR 1.11 (1.05–1.17), and low deprivation neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES) with increased dementia in men and women, HR 1.12 (1.06–1.18) and 1.18 (1.12–1.24), respectively. Conclusions Some results were expected, i.e. association between lower educational level and dementia. The higher risk of dementia in low deprivation NSES-areas could be due to a higher awareness about dementia, and subsequent earlier diagnosis and treatment of dementia.

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Capturing Complexity: A Latent Variable Mixture Modelling Approach to Examining Foods Consumed at Eating Occasions and Associations with adiposity (OR06-01-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz041.or06-01-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Leech ◽

Carol Boushey ◽

Sarah McNaughton

Keyword(s):

Latent Variable ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Food Groups ◽

Men And Women ◽

Research Fellowship ◽

Mixture Modelling ◽

Breakfast Food ◽

Eating Occasions ◽

Socio Demographic Factors ◽

Modelling Approach

Abstract Objectives Understanding how foods are consumed together in eating occasions (EOs) may be useful when developing messages and strategies for nutrition promotion. However, examining the many combinations of food consumed at EOs requires novel analytic approaches to capture this complexity. We applied a latent variable mixture modelling approach to understand how foods are consumed in relation to each other at breakfast EOs in adults, and examined associations with adiposity. Methods Dietary intake at breakfast (n = 8361 EO) was assessed via 24-h recall during the 2011–12 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 3545 men, n = 4127 women, ⩾19 y). Two-part latent variable mixture modelling, appropriate for use with semi-continuous data, was used to determine distinct breakfast food profiles based on 35 food groups. F and adjusted-chi2 tests assessed differences in socio-demographic factors and regression models, adjusted for covariates, were used to estimate differences in adiposity measures (BMI, waist circumference [WC]) between the latent breakfast profiles. Results Five distinct breakfast food profiles were found. Three were similar for men and women. These were labelled: “Wholegrain cereals and milks” (men: 16%, women: 17%), “Protein-foods” (men and women: 11%) and “Mixed cereals and milks” (men: 33%, women: 37%). Two “Breads and spreads” profiles were also found that were differentiated by their accompanying beverages (men) or type of grain (women). BMI and WC were lowest among men and women with a “Wholegrain cereals and milks” profile, and were significantly lower when compared to the “Mixed cereals and milks” pattern (women only, P < 0.01) and the “Breads and spreads” profiles (men only, P < 0.01). Conclusions We identified five breakfast food profiles in adults that varied by socio-demographic factors and adiposity. Latent variable mixture modelling is a useful approach to capture the complexity of food combinations at EO. Funding Sources RM Leech is financially supported by an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and SA McNaughton is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship (ID1104636). All authors had no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the presented work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the presented work.

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Sex and Sex Differences

The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Psychology, Vol. 1 ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199958450.013.0007 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 163-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Melissa Hines

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Cultural Influences ◽

Mathematics Performance ◽

Large Role ◽

Men And Women ◽

Male And Female ◽

Verbal Abilities ◽

Toy Preferences ◽

Nature And Nurture

Male and female fetuses differ not only chromosomally but also hormonally. In addition, the postnatal social environment differs for boys and girls, as well as for men and women. Genes, hormones, socialization, and cognitive development combine to produce different behavior between the average male and female, as well as individual differences in sex-linked behaviors within each sex. This chapter reviews evidence regarding the specific influences of each type of factor on core gender identity and sexual orientation; cognitive abilities, such as spatial, mathematical, and verbal abilities; and childhood sex-typed behaviors (toy, activity, and playmate preferences). Conclusions suggest that both nature and nurture contribute to behavioral sex differences, although the degree to which each type of factor is important appears to vary for different endpoints, at least in the population groups studied to date. For instance, inborn factors appear to be particularly important for sex-typical toy preferences, whereas social and cultural influences appear to play a large role in sex differences in mathematics performance.

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Apoyo social percibido y factores sociodemográficos en relación con los síntomas de ansiedad, depre- sión y estrés en universitarios chilenos

Revista de Psicopatología y Psicología Clínica ◽

10.5944/rppc.23676 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 105 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ana Barrera Herrera ◽

Mariajosé Neira-Cofré ◽

Paola Raipán-Gómez ◽

Patricio Riquelme-Lobos ◽

Bertha Escobar Alaniz

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Apoyo Social ◽

Mental Health Symptomatology ◽

Socio Demographic Factors ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

The Impact

Abstract: Perceived social support and socio-demographic factors in relation to symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in Chilean university students. Research with university students shows a high prevalence of mental disorders, so it is necessary to study the impact of protective variables such as social support. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of perceived social support and the socio-demographic factors gender and socio-economical level on symptomatology related to depression, anxiety, and stress. In the framework of a non-experimental and cross-sectional design, 449 undergraduate students answered the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results showed that perceived social support was negatively associated with psychopathological symptoms, and that family support is the strongest predictor of mental health symptomatology. These findings indicate that family social support is important to Chilean university students and plays a protective role against the symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in this stage in life.Keywords: emerging adulthood; perceived social support; depression; anxiety; stress.Resumen: Las investigaciones con universitarios evidencian alta prevalencia de trastornos mentales por lo que es necesario estudiar el impacto de variables protectoras como el apoyo social. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la influencia del apoyo social percibido y de los factores sociodemográficos de género y nivel socioeconómico en la sintomatología depresiva, ansiosa y de estrés. En el marco de un diseño no experimental y transversal, 449 estudiantes universitarios respondieron las Escalas de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21) y la Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social Percibido (MSPSS). Los resultados mostraron que el apoyo social percibido se asocia de forma inversa a los síntomas psicopatológicos y que el apoyo familiar es el mejor predictor ante la aparición de sintomatología de salud mental. Los resultados confirman que los jóvenes chilenos otorgan importancia al apoyo social familiar, el cual cumple un rol protector ante los síntomas de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en esta etapa vital.Palabras clave: Adultez emergente; apoyo social percibido; depresión; ansiedad; estrés.

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Sex differences in reward- and punishment-guided actions

10.1101/581546 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tara G. Chowdhury ◽

Kathryn G. Wallin-Miller ◽

Alice A. Rear ◽

Junchol Park ◽

Vanessa Diaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Associative Learning ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Avoidance Learning ◽

Dynamic Environments ◽

Reward Processing ◽

Behavioral Strategies ◽

Behavioral Models ◽

Men And Women ◽

Psychiatric Illnesses

ABSTRACTDifferences in the prevalence and presentation of psychiatric illnesses in men and women suggest that neurobiological sex differences confer vulnerability or resilience in these disorders. Rodent behavioral models are critical for understanding the mechanisms of these differences. Reward processing and punishment avoidance are fundamental dimensions of the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Here we explored sex differences along these dimensions using multiple and distinct behavioral paradigms. We found no sex difference in reward-guided associative learning but a faster punishment-avoidance learning in females. After learning, females were more sensitive than males to probabilistic punishment but less sensitive when punishment could be avoided with certainty. No sex differences were found in reward-guided cognitive flexibility. Thus, sex differences in goal-directed behaviors emerged selectively when there was an aversive context. These differences were critically sensitive to whether the punishment was certain or unpredictable. Our findings with these new paradigms provide conceptual and practical tools for investigating brain mechanisms that account for sex differences in susceptibility to anxiety and impulsivity. They may also provide insight for understanding the evolution of sex-specific optimal behavioral strategies in dynamic environments.

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Magnitude of HIV testing and socio demographic factors associated with it among adults age 15-49 years in Ethiopia

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20205491 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 20

Author(s):

Eleni Tesfaye Tegegne ◽

Mekibib Kassa Tessema ◽

Kaleab Tesfaye Tegegne

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

African Countries ◽

Men And Women ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Socio Demographic Factors

Background: Survey data in Sub-Saharan African countries in the 2005 to 2010 period showed that only 10% men and 15% women aged 15 to 24 years were aware of their human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. This study aims to assess: magnitude of HIV testing, and socio demographic factors associated with it among adults age 15-49 years.Methods: Demographic and health surveys in 2016, in Ethiopia were analyzed in SPSS, using multivariate logistic regression. We used HIV testing as the outcome variable using the recommended definition by Ethiopia demographic and health survey (EDHS) 2016. Descriptive statistics were employed to show the distribution of socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Of the total sample of 27289 of men and women 15-49 years at the time of survey, 19.4% (n=5295) have been tested for HIV in the past 12 months and received the results of the last test. Men and women in the 15-19 age group 9.952 (AOR 9.95295% CI 6.156-16.091) and men and women age 15-49 years in urban areas (AOR 34.040; 95% CI: 21.028-55.105) were found significant predictors of HIV testing.Conclusions: HIV testing among adults age 15-49 years in Ethiopia was low. Age and place of residence were found significant predictors of HIV testing there remain a high proportion of undiagnosed HIV-infected persons and for the Ethiopian government there is a need for innovative strategies aimed at increasing HIV-testing, particularly for rural areas and those beyond adolescent age.

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Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Reactivity

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803.23.2.77 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 77-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Matthew C. Whited ◽

Kevin T. Larkin

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Gender Roles ◽

Cardiovascular Reactivity ◽

Task Type ◽

Conflict Task ◽

Men And Women ◽

Conflicting Evidence ◽

Blood Pressure Responses

Sex differences in cardiovascular reactivity to stress are well documented, with some studies showing women having greater heart rate responses than men, and men having greater blood pressure responses than women, while other studies show conflicting evidence. Few studies have attended to the gender relevance of tasks employed in these studies. This study investigated cardiovascular reactivity to two interpersonal stressors consistent with different gender roles to determine whether response differences exist between men and women. A total of 26 men and 31 women were assigned to either a traditional male-oriented task that involved interpersonal conflict (Conflict Task) or a traditional female-oriented task that involved comforting another person (Comfort Task). Results demonstrated that women exhibited greater heart rate reactions than men independent of the task type, and that men did not display a higher reactivity than women on any measure. These findings indicate that sex of participant was more important than gender relevance of the task in eliciting sex differences in cardiovascular responding.

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The Relationship of Compliance with Coping Strategies and Self-Esteem

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027//1015-5759.19.2.117 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 117-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Gisli H. Gudjonsson ◽

Jon Fridrik Sigurdsson

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Sex Difference ◽

Test Scores ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Stressful Situation ◽

Men And Women ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

Summary: The Gudjonsson Compliance Scale (GCS), the COPE Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered to 212 men and 212 women. Multiple regression of the test scores showed that low self-esteem and denial coping were the best predictors of compliance in both men and women. Significant sex differences emerged on all three scales, with women having lower self-esteem than men, being more compliant, and using different coping strategies when confronted with a stressful situation. The sex difference in compliance was mediated by differences in self-esteem between men and women.

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Sex Differences in Time Production Revisited

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000059 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 35-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Joseph Glicksohn ◽

Yamit Hadad

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Sex Difference ◽

Absolute Error ◽

Internal Clock ◽

Target Duration ◽

Log P ◽

Men And Women ◽

Time Production ◽

T Score

Individual differences in time production should indicate differences in the rate of functioning of an internal clock, assuming the existence of such a clock. And sex differences in time production should reflect a difference in the rate of functioning of that clock between men and women. One way of approaching the data is to compute individual regressions of produced duration (P) on target duration (T), after log transformation, and to derive estimates for the intercept and the slope. One could investigate a sex difference by comparing these estimates for men and women; one could also contrast them by looking at mean log(P). Using such indices, we found a sex difference in time production, female participants having a relatively faster internal clock, making shorter time productions, and having a smaller exponent. The question is whether a sex difference in time production would be found using other methods for analyzing the data: (1) the P/T ratio; (2) an absolute discrepancy (|P-T|) score; and (3) an absolute error (|P-T|/T) score. For the P/T ratio, female participants have a lower mean ratio in comparison to the male participants. In contrast, the |P-T| and |P-T|/T indices seem to be seriously compromised by wide individual differences.

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