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Religion and cognitive dysfunction in an elderly cohort.

Peter H Van Ness1, Stanislav V Kasl

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA. peter.vanness@yale.edu

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
|December 24, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Attending religious services was linked to less cognitive dysfunction in older adults initially. However, this association faded by 1988, possibly due to higher mortality rates in those with poor cognition and low religious attendance.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Sociology of Religion

Background:

  • Previous research indicates religious attendance is linked to reduced physical disability.
  • Social engagement is also associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in elderly populations.
  • The relationship between religious service attendance and cognitive function in older adults requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between attendance at religious services and cognitive dysfunction in an elderly cohort.
  • To determine if religious service attendance predicts lower levels of cognitive dysfunction over time.

Main Methods:

  • A diverse sample of 2,812 community-dwelling older adults in New Haven, CT, was studied.
  • Attendance at religious services was measured in 1982.

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  • Multivariate logistic regression analysis controlled for sociodemographic, behavioral, and biomedical factors to predict cognitive dysfunction in 1985 and 1988.

    • Main Results:

    • Religious service attendance in 1982 showed an inverse association with cognitive dysfunction in 1985 (OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.49-0.85).
    • This association was not significant for predicting cognitive dysfunction in 1988.
    • Differential mortality partially explained the short-term nature of the effect.

    Conclusions:

    • Religious service attendance may offer short-term cognitive benefits for the elderly.
    • Higher mortality rates among those with infrequent religious attendance and cognitive dysfunction may explain the diminishing association over time.
    • Further research is needed to understand the long-term impact and mechanisms involved.