Differential Associations Between Perceived Social Support and Cognition in Older Adults With and Without Multiple...

In persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), perceived social support (PSS) is linked with better mental health, physical well-being, and quality of life. As MS becomes more prevalent in older adults, research on the effects of MS on cognition remains limited. The present study examined the impact of PSS total and domain scores on processing speed and memory in older adults with MS (OAMS) and healthy controls.

Participants were OAMS (n = 94, mean age = 64.59 years; %female = 68.1) and controls (n = 114, mean age = 67.95 years; %female = 64). The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) assessed processing speed, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) assessed memory, and the Medical Outcomes Study Modified Social Support Study (MSSS) assessed PSS. Linear regression models examined associations of total and domain PSS scores with SDMT and HVLT-R performances in the entire sample and then stratified by group.

In the combined cohort, higher overall, emotional, and positive interaction MSSS scores were associated with better SDMT performance. In stratified analyses, however, except for social interaction, adjusting for depressive symptoms attenuated these associations in OAMS. Associations between MSSS and HVLT-R performance were limited.

The current study demonstrated that total and specific facets of PSS were related to processing speed in both OAMS and control participants. Except for positive interaction, depressive symptoms attenuated these associations in OAMS. Hence, treating depression has implications for both cognition and PSS in OAMS.