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The Association Between Loneliness and Cognitive Impairment among Older Men and Women in China: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

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  • Zi Zhou

    (State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China
    Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province University, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China)

  • Fanzhen Mao

    (State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China
    Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province University, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China)

  • Wei Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China
    Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province University, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China)

  • Samuel D. Towne

    (Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
    Disability, Aging, and Technology Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Ping Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China
    Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province University, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China)

  • Ya Fang

    (State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China
    Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province University, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361102, China)

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the association between loneliness and cognitive impairment among older men and women in China. Data for 6898 eligible participants aged 65 years and older were derived from the latest two waves (2008/2009 and 2011/2012) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether the association between loneliness at baseline and the risk of cognitive impairment at follow-up varied by sex, with adjustment for social-demographic variables, social isolation, lifestyles, and health status. The rates of baseline loneliness and follow-up cognitive impairment were both higher among women than men. Loneliness at baseline was significantly associated with cognitive impairment at follow-up among elderly men (OR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.01–1.69), even after adjusting for potential confounding variables; however, a similar association was not observed among elderly women (OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.81–1.19). Multiple imputations were applied to address missing data. Although elderly women more frequently reported feelings of loneliness, the impact of loneliness on cognitive impairment was significant among elderly men but not elderly women. Interventions designed to decrease the incidence of loneliness may be particularly beneficial for the reduction of cognitive impairment among elderly Chinese men.

Suggested Citation

  • Zi Zhou & Fanzhen Mao & Wei Zhang & Samuel D. Towne & Ping Wang & Ya Fang, 2019. "The Association Between Loneliness and Cognitive Impairment among Older Men and Women in China: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:16:p:2877-:d:256847
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bao-Liang Zhong & Shu-Lin Chen & Xin Tu & Yeates Conwell, 2017. "Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(1), pages 120-128.
    2. Shen, Ke & Zeng, Yi, 2014. "Direct and indirect effects of childhood conditions on survival and health among male and female elderly in China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 207-214.
    3. Zhenmei Zhang, 2006. "Gender Differentials in Cognitive Impairment and Decline of the Oldest Old in China," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 61(2), pages 107-115.
    4. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zi Zhou & Lun Cai & Jian Fu & Yaofeng Han & Ya Fang, 2020. "Hypothetical Interventions on Risk Factors for Cognitive Impairment among Chinese Older Adults: An Application of the Parametric G-Formula," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Yushan Hou & Chang Cai & Houlin Tang & Yichen Jin & Fangfang Chen & Dandan Niu & Fan Lv, 2023. "Sexual Behavior and Perceived Loneliness in Elderly People Living with HIV in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-8, February.

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