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Published on: January 24, 2020
Loneliness Moderates the Association between Neighborhood Disadvantage and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults
Regina S Wright1,2,3,4, Desirée C Bygrave1,2,3,4, Alexa C Allan1,2,3,4
1Department of Health Behavior & Nutrition Sciences, University of Delaware.
Delaware Journal of Public Health
|August 3, 2026
Summary
Neighborhood disadvantage is linked to poorer visuospatial memory in older adults. Loneliness can moderate this effect, highlighting the need to consider social factors in cognitive health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Epidemiology
Background:
- Neighborhood disadvantage is associated with cognitive decline in older adults.
- The moderating role of loneliness in this relationship remains understudied.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for cognitive health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between neighborhood disadvantage and cognitive function in older adults.
- To examine if loneliness moderates the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 136 older adults from the Healthy Heart and Mind Study.
- Neighborhood disadvantage assessed using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI).
- Cognitive function measured via Verbal Fluency, Visual Reproductions, Logical Memory, and Digit Span tests. Loneliness measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale.
Main Results:
- Higher neighborhood disadvantage (state and national ADI scores) correlated with poorer short-term visuospatial memory.
- Loneliness significantly moderated the association between national neighborhood disadvantage and short-term visuospatial memory.
Conclusions:
- Older adults in disadvantaged neighborhoods may experience impaired visuospatial memory.
- The impact of neighborhood disadvantage on visuospatial memory is influenced by an individual's level of loneliness.
- Findings underscore the importance of neighborhood context and social factors in cognitive aging.
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