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Social contact, social support, and cognitive health in a population-based study of middle-aged and older men and women in rural South Africa

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  • Harling, Guy
  • Kobayashi, Lindsay C.
  • Farrell, Meagan T.
  • Wagner, Ryan G.
  • Tollman, Stephen
  • Berkman, Lisa

Abstract

Several theories seek to explain how social connections and cognitive function are interconnected in older age. These include that social interaction protects against cognitive decline, that cognitive decline leads to shedding of social connections and that cognitive decline leads to increased instrumental support. We investigated how patterns of social contact, social support and cognitive health in rural South Africa fit with these three theories.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:260:y:2020:i:c:s0277953620303865
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113167
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    2. Gordon, Ross & Harada, Theresa & Spotswood, Fiona, 2022. "The body politics of successful ageing in the nexus of health, well-being and energy consumption practices," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).

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