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Musical and Multilingual Experience Are Related to Healthy Aging: Better Some Than None But Even Better Together

Author

Listed:
  • Saskia Esmee
  • Marie-José van Tol
  • André Aleman
  • Merel Keijzer
  • Vanessa Taler

Abstract

ObjectivesLife experiences that are complex, sustained, and intense, such as active participation in music and speaking multiple languages, have been suggested to contribute to maintaining or improving cognitive performance and mental health. The current study focuses on whether lifetime musical and multilingual experiences differentially relate to cognition and well-being in older adults, and tests whether there is a cumulative effect of both experiences.MethodsA total of 11,335 older adults from the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study completed a musical and multilingual background and experience questionnaire. Latent class analysis was used to categorize individuals into subgroups according to their various musical and multilingual experiences resulting in a (1) nonmusical, low-multilingual group; (2) nonmusical, high-multilingual group; (3) musical, low-multilingual group; and (4) musical high-multilingual group. To determine whether the groups differed in terms of cognition or emotional affect, differences in Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scores were investigated by means of multinomial logistic regression analysis.ResultsHaving high-multilingual, and not musical, experience was related to better RFFT performance compared to no experience, but not to more positive affect. Having both musical and high-multilingual experiences is related to better RFFT performance and more positive affect in advanced age compared to having only one experience or none. Importantly, these results were found independently of age, level of education, and socioeconomic status.DiscussionMusical and multilingual experiences are related to healthy aging, especially when combined, which supports the suggestion that a broader spectrum of lifetime experiences relates to cognitive reserve.

Suggested Citation

  • Saskia Esmee & Marie-José van Tol & André Aleman & Merel Keijzer & Vanessa Taler, 2023. "Musical and Multilingual Experience Are Related to Healthy Aging: Better Some Than None But Even Better Together," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 78(4), pages 609-619.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:78:y:2023:i:4:p:609-619.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jenny M Groarke & Michael J Hogan, 2019. "Listening to self-chosen music regulates induced negative affect for both younger and older adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, June.
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