IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/socmed/v125y2015icp107-115.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The mix matters: Complex personal networks relate to higher cognitive functioning in old age

Author

Listed:
  • Ellwardt, Lea
  • Van Tilburg, Theo G.
  • Aartsen, Marja J.

Abstract

Stronger engagement of older adults in social activities and greater embeddedness in networks is often argued to buffer cognitive decline and lower risks of dementia. One of the explanations is that interaction with other people trains the brain, thereby enhancing cognitive functioning. However, research on the relationship between personal networks and cognitive functioning is not yet conclusive. While previous studies have focused on the size of personal networks as a proxy of cognitive stimulation, little attention has been paid to the complexity of the personal network. Adults embedded in a broad range of network relationships (i.e., various relationship types) are likely to be exposed to a wider range of stimuli than adults embedded in a homogeneous network including similar relationship types. We expect that higher numbers of personal relationship types rather than a higher number of similar contacts relate to higher levels of cognitive functioning and slower cognitive decline. Data are from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) and include 2959 Dutch participants aged 54 to 85 at baseline in 1992 and six follow-ups covering a time span of twenty years. Cognitive functioning is assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and for network complexity we use the Social Network Index. We test our expectations using fixed-effects regression models. The results reveal that a reduction in network complexity is associated with a reduction in cognitive functioning, which is neither explained by size of the network nor by presence of specific relationship types. However, enhanced complexity has only a marginal buffering effect on decline in cognitive functioning. We conclude that network characteristics and cognitive functioning are intertwined and that their association is mostly cross-sectional in nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellwardt, Lea & Van Tilburg, Theo G. & Aartsen, Marja J., 2015. "The mix matters: Complex personal networks relate to higher cognitive functioning in old age," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 107-115.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:125:y:2015:i:c:p:107-115
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.05.007
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953614002949
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.05.007?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. María-Victoria Zunzunegui & Beatriz E. Alvarado & Teodoro Del Ser & Angel Otero, 2003. "Social Networks, Social Integration, and Social Engagement Determine Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Spanish Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(2), pages 93-100.
    2. Berkman, Lisa F. & Glass, Thomas & Brissette, Ian & Seeman, Teresa E., 2000. "From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millennium," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(6), pages 843-857, September.
    3. Ertel, K.A. & Glymour, M.M. & Berkman, L.F., 2008. "Effects of social integration on preserving memory function in a nationally representative US elderly population," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(7), pages 1215-1220.
    4. Sophia Rabe-Hesketh & Anders Skrondal, 2012. "Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling Using Stata, 3rd Edition," Stata Press books, StataCorp LP, edition 3, number mimus2, March.
    5. Marja J. Aartsen & Carolien H. M. Smits & Theo van Tilburg & Kees C. P. M. Knipscheer & Dorly J. H. Deeg, 2002. "Activity in Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 57(2), pages 153-162.
    6. Ellwardt, Lea & Aartsen, Marja & Deeg, Dorly & Steverink, Nardi, 2013. "Does loneliness mediate the relation between social support and cognitive functioning in later life?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 116-124.
    7. Glass, Thomas A. & de Leon, Carlos F. Mendes & Seeman, Teresa E. & Berkman, Lisa F., 1997. "Beyond single indicators of social networks: A LISREL analysis of social ties among the elderly," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(10), pages 1503-1517, May.
    8. Crooks, V.C. & Lubben, J. & Petitti, D.B. & Little, D. & Chiu, V., 2008. "Social network, cognitive function, and dementia incidence among elderly women," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(7), pages 1221-1227.
    9. J. A. Anguera & J. Boccanfuso & J. L. Rintoul & O. Al-Hashimi & F. Faraji & J. Janowich & E. Kong & Y. Larraburo & C. Rolle & E. Johnston & A. Gazzaley, 2013. "Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults," Nature, Nature, vol. 501(7465), pages 97-101, September.
    10. Tiffany F. Hughes & Ross Andel & Brent J. Small & Amy R. Borenstein & James A. Mortimer, 2008. "The Association Between Social Resources and Cognitive Change in Older Adults: Evidence From the Charlotte County Healthy Aging Study," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 63(4), pages 241-244.
    11. Ronald E. Holtzman & George W. Rebok & Jane S. Saczynski & Anthony C. Kouzis & Kathryn Wilcox Doyle & William W. Eaton, 2004. "Social Network Characteristics and Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 59(6), pages 278-284.
    12. Katherine L. Fiori & Jacqui Smith & Toni C. Antonucci, 2007. "Social Network Types Among Older Adults: A Multidimensional Approach," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(6), pages 322-330.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Meyer, Oanh L. & Besser, Lilah & Mitsova, Diana & Booker, Michaela & Luu, Elaine & Tobias, Michele & Farias, Sarah Tomaszewski & Mungas, Dan & DeCarli, Charles & Whitmer, Rachel A., 2021. "Neighborhood racial/ethnic segregation and cognitive decline in older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    2. Rachel L. Peterson & Kristen M. George & Duyen Tran & Pallavi Malladi & Paola Gilsanz & Amy J. H. Kind & Rachel A. Whitmer & Lilah M. Besser & Oanh L. Meyer, 2021. "Operationalizing Social Environments in Cognitive Aging and Dementia Research: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Jiaxuan E & Bo Xia & Laurie Buys & Tan Yigitcanlar, 2021. "Sustainable Urban Development for Older Australians: Understanding the Formation of Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities in the Greater Brisbane Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Rassaby, Madeleine & Shakya, Holly B. & Fowler, James H. & Oveis, Christopher & Sieber, William J. & Jain, Sonia & Stein, Murray B. & Taylor, Charles T., 2024. "Application of an egocentric social network approach to examine changes in social connections following treatment for anxiety and depression: A novel measurement tool for clinical trials research?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    5. Johnson, Blair T. & Acabchuk, Rebecca L., 2018. "What are the keys to a longer, happier life? Answers from five decades of health psychology research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 218-226.
    6. Yalu Zhang & Qin Gao & Fuhua Zhai & Paul Anand, 2023. "Income and Health in Predicting Older Adults’ Social Capabilities in China: The Mediating Role of Social Engagement," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 163-180, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ellwardt, Lea & Aartsen, Marja & Deeg, Dorly & Steverink, Nardi, 2013. "Does loneliness mediate the relation between social support and cognitive functioning in later life?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 116-124.
    2. Rachel L. Peterson & Kristen M. George & Duyen Tran & Pallavi Malladi & Paola Gilsanz & Amy J. H. Kind & Rachel A. Whitmer & Lilah M. Besser & Oanh L. Meyer, 2021. "Operationalizing Social Environments in Cognitive Aging and Dementia Research: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Haslam, Catherine & Cruwys, Tegan & Haslam, S. Alexander, 2014. "“The we's have it”: Evidence for the distinctive benefits of group engagement in enhancing cognitive health in aging," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 57-66.
    4. Harling, Guy & Kobayashi, Lindsay C. & Farrell, Meagan T. & Wagner, Ryan G. & Tollman, Stephen & Berkman, Lisa, 2020. "Social contact, social support, and cognitive health in a population-based study of middle-aged and older men and women in rural South Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    5. Thomas, Patricia A., 2011. "Gender, social engagement, and limitations in late life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(9), pages 1428-1435.
    6. Dimitrios Christelis & Loreti I. Dobrescu, 2012. "The Impact of Social Activities on Cognitive Ageing: Evidence from Eleven European Countries," CSEF Working Papers 320, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
    7. Fan, Zili & Lv, Xiaozhen & Tu, Lihui & Zhang, Ming & Yu, Xin & Wang, Huali, 2021. "Reduced social activities and networks, but not social support, are associated with cognitive decline among older chinese adults: A prospective study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    8. Murayama, Hiroshi & Nishi, Mariko & Matsuo, Eri & Nofuji, Yu & Shimizu, Yumiko & Taniguchi, Yu & Fujiwara, Yoshinori & Shinkai, Shoji, 2013. "Do bonding and bridging social capital affect self-rated health, depressive mood and cognitive decline in older Japanese? A prospective cohort study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 247-252.
    9. Lee, Yeonjin & Jean Yeung, Wei-Jun, 2019. "Gender matters: Productive social engagement and the subsequent cognitive changes among older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 87-95.
    10. Soondool Chung & Haesang Jeon & Ahyoung Song & Ju-Hyun Kim, 2019. "Developmental Trajectories and Predictors of Social Exclusion Among Older Koreans: Exploring the Multidimensional Nature of Social Exclusion," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 144(1), pages 97-112, July.
    11. Vonneilich, Nico & Lüdecke, Daniel & von dem Knesebeck, Olaf, 2020. "Educational inequalities in self-rated health and social relationships – analyses based on the European Social Survey 2002-2016," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    12. Patricia A Thomas & Debra Umberson, 2018. "Do Older Parents’ Relationships With Their Adult Children Affect Cognitive Limitations, and Does This Differ for Mothers and Fathers?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(6), pages 1133-1142.
    13. Young Bum Kim & Seung Hee Lee, 2022. "Gender Differences in Correlates of Loneliness among Community-Dwelling Older Koreans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-11, June.
    14. Luis Aranda & Martin Siyaranamual, 2014. "Are Smarter People Better Samaritans? Effect of Cognitive Abilities on Pro-Social Behaviors," Working Papers 2014:06, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    15. Leah Fostick, 2019. "Card playing enhances speech perception among aging adults: comparison with aging musicians," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 481-489, December.
    16. Silvana Miceli & Laura Maniscalco & Domenica Matranga, 2019. "Social networks and social activities promote cognitive functioning in both concurrent and prospective time: evidence from the SHARE survey," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 145-154, June.
    17. Catherine Grotz & Luc Letenneur & Eric Bonsang & Hélène Amieva & Céline Meillon & Etienne Quertemont & Eric Salmon & Stéphane Adam & ICTUS/DSA group, 2015. "Retirement Age and the Age of Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease: Results from the ICTUS Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-11, February.
    18. Claire G La Fleur & Timothy A Salthouse, 2017. "Which Aspects of Social Support Are Associated With Which Cognitive Abilities for Which People?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(6), pages 1006-1016.
    19. Khaksar, Seyed Mohammad Sadegh & Khosla, Rajiv & Chu, Mei Tai & Shahmehr, Fatemeh S., 2016. "Service Innovation Using Social Robot to Reduce Social Vulnerability among Older People in Residential Care Facilities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 113(PB), pages 438-453.
    20. Shu Cai, 2022. "Does social participation improve cognitive abilities of the elderly?," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 35(2), pages 591-619, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:125:y:2015:i:c:p:107-115. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/315/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.