Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
06:58
Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
Social support, physical functioning, and cognitive functioning among older African American adults
Brian J Ayotte1, Jason C Allaire, Keith E Whitfield
1a Department of Psychology & The Ora M. DeJesus Gerontology Center, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth , MA , USA. bayotte@umassd.edu
Summary
Providing social support enhances cognitive abilities in older African Americans, while receiving support may slightly decrease them. This highlights the importance of social context for cognitive health in aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sociology of Aging
Background:
- Social support and functional ability are crucial for outcomes in older African Americans, including cognitive performance.
- Previous research indicates a link between social interactions and cognitive health in later life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between providing and receiving social support and cognitive abilities (fluid and crystallized) in aging African American adults.
- To control for functional limitations, age, education, sex, income, and self-reported health in this analysis.
Main Methods:
- Latent variable modeling was used to analyze data from 602 African American adults (mean age = 69.08).
- Fluid ability was assessed using measures of verbal memory, working memory, perceptual speed, and inductive reasoning.
- Crystallized ability was measured using vocabulary tests (Shipley Verbal Meaning Test, ETS Vocabulary Test).
Main Results:
- Receiving social support was negatively associated with both fluid and crystallized cognitive abilities.
- Providing social support was positively associated with both fluid and crystallized cognitive abilities.
- The negative relationship between receiving support and cognitive ability was stronger for fluid ability compared to crystallized ability.
Conclusions:
- The act of providing social support may bolster cognitive functions in older adults.
- Receiving social support, particularly for those with functional limitations, might be linked to cognitive decline.
- Understanding the social dynamics of support is vital for comprehending cognitive aging in African American communities.
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