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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

Social engagement and cognitive function in old age.

Kristin R Krueger¹, Robert S Wilson, Julia M Kamenetsky

¹Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA. kris2blink@yahoo.com

Experimental Aging Research

|January 29, 2009

Summary

Social engagement, including social activity and support, is linked to better cognitive function in older adults. However, the size of one's social network showed no strong link to overall cognitive abilities.

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Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing

Published on: January 24, 2020

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Cognitive Neuroscience
Social Psychology

Background:

Cognitive decline is a significant concern in aging populations.
Social engagement is hypothesized to play a role in maintaining cognitive health.
Previous research has yielded mixed results on the impact of different social factors on cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between various social engagement measures and cognitive function in older adults without dementia.
To determine if different aspects of social engagement (network size, activity frequency, social support) have differential effects on cognitive domains.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional study of 838 cognitively healthy older adults (mean age 80.2 years).
Assessment of social network size, frequency of social activity, and perceived social support.
Linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, and other covariates to analyze associations with cognitive function across multiple domains.

Main Results:

Higher frequency of social activity was associated with better cognitive function.
Greater perceived social support was also linked to enhanced cognitive function.
Social network size did not show a strong association with global cognitive function.

Conclusions:

Social engagement, particularly through active participation and perceived support, is beneficial for cognitive function in late life.
The specific type of social engagement matters, with activity and support showing stronger cognitive links than network size.
Findings highlight the importance of promoting meaningful social interactions to support cognitive health in aging individuals.