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Social Isolation and Memory Decline in Later-life

Author

Listed:
  • Sanna ReadPhD
  • Adelina Comas-Herrera
  • Emily Grundy
  • Marcus Schafer

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate associations between level and changes in social isolation and in memory in older men and women.MethodsThe sample included 6,123 women and 5,110 men aged 50+ from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). Extended latent change score models from six measurement occasions every 2 years from 2002 were used to investigate associations between social isolation and memory. Models were adjusted for age, socioeconomic position, and health.ResultsSocial isolation increased and memory decreased over time. Among men an initially high level of social isolation was associated with a somewhat greater decrease in memory. Among women a greater increase in social isolation predicted a greater decrease in memory and a larger change in social isolation was associated with further larger changes in isolation, although when social isolation reached a higher level it subsequently decreased.ConclusionsResults suggest that the association between social isolation and memory decline arises because social isolation is associated with increased memory decline rather than poor memory leading to increases in social isolation. Men with high levels of social isolation and women with accumulated social isolation over time are especially affected as these patterns of isolation were associated with more profound memory decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanna ReadPhD & Adelina Comas-Herrera & Emily Grundy & Marcus Schafer, 2020. "Social Isolation and Memory Decline in Later-life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 75(2), pages 367-376.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:75:y:2020:i:2:p:367-376.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbz152
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sanna L Read & Emily M D Grundy, 2017. "Fertility History and Cognition in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(6), pages 1021-1031.
    2. Stefan Agrigoroaei & Margie E. Lachman, 2011. "Cognitive Functioning in Midlife and Old Age: Combined Effects of Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(suppl_1), pages 130-140.
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    2. Katherine Carroll Britt & Kathy C. Richards & Kavita Radhakrishnan & Andrea Vanags-Louredo & Eunice Park & Nalaka S. Gooneratne & Liam Fry, 2023. "Religion, Spirituality, and Coping During the Pandemic: Perspectives of Dementia Caregivers," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 32(1), pages 94-104, January.
    3. Atalay, Kadir & Staneva, Anita, 2020. "The effect of bereavement on cognitive functioning among elderly people: Evidence from Australia," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    4. Zhao, Yuejun & Inder, Brett & Kim, Jun Sung, 2021. "Spousal bereavement and the cognitive health of older adults in the US: New insights on channels, single items, and subjective evidence," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).

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