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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
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Does loneliness mediate the relation between social support and cognitive functioning in later life?
Lea Ellwardt1, Marja Aartsen2, Dorly Deeg2
1University of Groningen, Department of Sociology and Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), Grote Rozenstraat 31, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|December 17, 2013
Summary
Emotional support protects against cognitive decline and dementia in older adults by reducing loneliness. Instrumental support, however, may accelerate cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Mixed findings exist on social support's impact on cognitive decline.
- Underlying mechanisms linking social support and cognitive function remain unclear.
- Subjective appraisals of support quality, like loneliness, may be more influential than received support amounts.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between social support and cognitive functioning.
- Examine the differential effects of emotional versus instrumental support on cognitive decline.
- Determine if subjective appraisals of support quality are key to cognitive preservation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) data from 2255 participants (aged 55-85) over six years.
- Latent growth mediation models analyzed cognitive functioning (MMSE, Coding Task, Raven's Matrices) and support types.
- Loneliness was assessed as a subjective measure of support quality.
Main Results:
- Frequent emotional support was associated with reduced loneliness and enhanced cognitive functioning.
- Increases in emotional support directly improved cognitive performance, especially in adults aged 65+.
- Instrumental support did not buffer cognitive decline and showed potential for faster decline.
Conclusions:
- Emotional support, by alleviating loneliness, acts as a significant protector against cognitive decline.
- The quality of emotional support relationships is more crucial for cognitive health than instrumental support.
- Findings highlight the importance of subjective experiences in social support's effect on aging cognition.
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