Meaning in life and risk of cognitive impairment: A 9-Year prospective study in 14 countries

A meaningful and purpose-driven life is associated with better health outcomes. We test whether meaning in life is associated with risk of cognitive impairment using data from a large, multi-national study.

Participants (N = 22,514) were from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Participants from 14 countries reported on their meaning in life. Cognitive impairment was derived from performance on cognitive tasks administered at baseline and at up to three follow-up waves (waves 2-6 assessed between 2010-2015).

Lack of meaning in life was associated with a more than 20 % increased risk of incident cognitive impairment over the up to 9-year follow-up (Hazard Ratio = 1.24; 95 % Confidence Interval = 1.17-1.31). Further, compared to participants who reported often feeling meaning in life, participants who reported never feeling meaning in life were at an approximately 75 % increased risk of impairment (Hazard Ratio = 1.75, 95 % Confidence Interval = 1.19-2.57). The association between meaning in life and risk of cognitive impairment was apparent across four regions of Europe (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western) and in Israel and was not moderated by sociodemographic characteristics.

Reporting lower meaning in one's life is associated with risk of incident cognitive impairment. Meaning may be a potential target of intervention for healthier cognitive aging.