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The Mediating Effect of Functional Health on the Relationship between Social Capital and Cognition among Chinese Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Xinyu Liu

    (Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Shuangshuang Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Southwest Jiaotong University, No. III, North Section I Second Ring Road, Chengdu 610031, China)

  • Siqi Liu

    (Center of Health System and Policy, Institute of Medical Information & Library, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100020, China)

  • Nengliang Yao

    (Home Centered Care Institute, 1900 East Golf Road, Suite 480, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA)

  • Quan Wang

    (School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
    Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA)

  • Xiaojie Sun

    (Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

Abstract

This study evaluated the association between cognition and social capital among Chinese older adults and analyzed the mediating role of functional health in that interaction. The baseline and follow-up data were acquired from the 2011 and 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The sample included 6291 adults aged 55 years and above in 2011. The dimensions of social capital included social trust, social support, social participation, and reciprocity. Cognition was measured based on mental state and episodic memory. The Karlson–Holm–Breen method was employed to explore the association between social capital at the baseline and cognition four years later, and the mediating role of baseline functional health. There was a positive relationship between financial support (one of the social support variables) and reciprocity, and mental state (β = 0.186, p = 0.00; β = 0.306, p = 0.012). Furthermore, a positive relationship between social participation and episodic memory (β = 0.129, p = 0.002) was observed. The mediating effect of functional health explained 7.7% of the total effect of social participation on episodic memory. These findings may contribute to research concerning the potential explanation of the association between social capital and cognition as well as interventions aimed at improving cognitive performance in older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinyu Liu & Shuangshuang Wang & Siqi Liu & Nengliang Yao & Quan Wang & Xiaojie Sun, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Functional Health on the Relationship between Social Capital and Cognition among Chinese Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16123-:d:991351
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Flavio Cunha & James J. Heckman & Susanne M. Schennach, 2010. "Estimating the Technology of Cognitive and Noncognitive Skill Formation," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 78(3), pages 883-931, May.
    3. 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.
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