Life-Course Religious Attendance and Cognitive Functioning in Later Life

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Aging
• Sociology of Religion

Background:

• Previous research suggests religious attendance benefits cognitive function in older adults.
• However, these studies often lack integration with life-course perspectives and theories of cognitive aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of cumulative life-course religious attendance on diverse cognitive functioning outcomes.
• To differentiate the impact of religious attendance from secular social engagement.
• To apply life-course theory to understand religious attendance and cognitive aging.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study's religious life histories module.
• Analyzed a subsample of 516 adults aged 65 and older.
• Examined cognitive functioning outcomes including working memory, mental status, and self-rated memory.

Main Results:

• Older adults with higher life-course religious attendance showed poorer working memory and mental status.
• Conversely, those with more frequent religious attendance reported better self-rated memory.
• Findings suggest a complex, non-uniform relationship between religious attendance and cognitive health.

Conclusions:

• Reconceptualizing religious attendance as a cumulative life-course exposure offers new insights into cognitive aging.
• The association between religious attendance and cognitive function is nuanced, varying by cognitive domain.
• Further research should explore mechanisms underlying these differential effects.