Family stress model pathways to cognitive function in older adulthood

Economic adversity is a well-established risk factor for cognitive well-being in older adulthood. In addition, prior studies suggest that economic pressure can increase emotional distress and hostility in marital relationships, which may in turn be associated with cognitive function. However, family stress model pathways that include economic pressure, emotional distress, and marital hostility have been less frequently studied as possible underlying mechanisms leading to cognitive function, especially in the context of negative social events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates longitudinal associations between family stress model pathways and older adult cognitive function assessed during the pandemic to help fill this gap in the family literature. Data came from 319 White married older adults (M_age = 71, SD = 3.82; 59% women) from the Later Adulthood Study, collected in 2015, 2017, and 2020-2021. Structural equation models and tests of indirect effects using the bootstrapping method showed that economic pressure was significantly related to greater emotional distress, which, in turn, was associated with lower cognitive function. Marital hostility was not significantly associated with older adult cognitive function. These findings highlight the importance of addressing emotional distress as a key pathway through which economic adversity is associated with cognitive health among older adults. Preventions and interventions targeting both economic pressure and emotional well-being may be essential for promoting cognitive well-being in older adulthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).