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Adverse Childhood Circumstances and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Adults: Lower Level or Faster Decline?

Author

Listed:
  • Lin, Zhuoer

    (Yale University)

  • Chen, Xi

    (Yale University)

Abstract

We examine the long-term relationship between childhood circumstances and cognitive aging. In particular, we differentiate the level of cognitive deficit from the rate of cognitive decline. Applying a linear mixed-effect model to three waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys (CHARLS 2011, 2013, 2015) and matching cognitive outcomes to CHARLS Life History Survey (2014), we find that key domains of childhood circumstances, including family socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood cohesion, friendship and health conditions, are significantly associated with both the level of cognitive deficit and the rate of decline. In contrast, childhood neighborhood safety only affects the level of cognitive deficit. Childhood relationship with mother only affects the rate of cognitive decline. The effects of adverse childhood circumstances are generally larger on level of cognitive deficit than on rate of cognitive decline. Moreover, education plays a more important role in mediating the relationships compared to other later-life factors. These findings suggest that exposure to disadvantaged childhood circumstances can exacerbate cognitive deficit as well as cognitive decline over time, which may be partially ameliorated by educational attainment.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Zhuoer & Chen, Xi, 2021. "Adverse Childhood Circumstances and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Adults: Lower Level or Faster Decline?," IZA Discussion Papers 14161, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14161
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yaohui Zhao & Eileen M. Crimmins & Peifeng Hu & Yang Shen & James P. Smith & John Strauss & Yafeng Wang & Yuan Zhang, 2016. "Prevalence, diagnosis, and management of diabetes mellitus among older Chinese: results from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(3), pages 347-356, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Xi, 2022. "Early Life Circumstances and the Health of Older Adults: A Research Note," IZA Discussion Papers 15511, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Lin, Zhuoer & Chen, Xi, 2022. "Long-term services and supports and disease management among older Chinese adults in different stages of cognitive impairment," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 23(C).
    3. Cai, Shu & Li, Wei, 2024. "On the origin of cognition: How childhood conditions shape cognitive function in old age," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cognitive aging; life course factors; childhood circumstances; education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination

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