Cited by 115Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchHealth disparities and outcomesAging, Health, and Disability

Social isolation, cognitive reserve, and cognition in older people with depression and anxiety

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Evans, Isobel E. M., Llewellyn, David J., Matthews, Fiona E., Woods, Robert T., Brayne, Carol, Clare, Linda·2019·Aging & Mental Health

Abstract

Objectives: Poor social connections may be associated with poor cognition in older people who are not experiencing mental health problems, and the trajectory of this association may be moderated by cognitive reserve. However, it is unclear whether this relationship is the same for older people with symptoms of depression and anxiety. This paper aims to explore social relationships and cognitive function in older people with depression and anxiety.Method: Baseline and two-year follow-up data were analysed from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study–Wales (CFAS-Wales). We compared levels of social isolation, loneliness, social contact, cognitive function, and cognitive reserve at baseline amongst older people with and without depression or anxiety. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between isolation and cognition at baseline and two-year follow-up in a subgroup of older people meeting pre-defined criteria for depression or anxiety. A moderation analysis tested for the moderating effect of cognitive reserve.Results: Older people with depression or anxiety perceived themselves as more isolated and lonely than those without depression or anxiety, despite having an equivalent level of social contact with friends and family. In people with depression or anxiety, social isolation was associated with poor cognitive function at baseline, but not with cognitive change at two-year follow-up. Cognitive reserve did not moderate this association.Conclusion: Social isolation was associated with poor cognitive function at baseline, but not two-year follow-up. This may be attributed to a reduction in mood-related symptoms at follow-up, linked to improved cognitive function.

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Crossref · 10.1080/13607863.2018.1506742

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Authors
Evans, I. E. M., Llewellyn, D. J., Matthews, F. E., Woods, R. T., Brayne, C., & Clare, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Exeter (GB)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
  • Dementia Services Development Centre Wales, School of Healthcare Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom;
  • Australian National University (AU)
Corresponding author
Evans, Isobel E. M.
Venue
Aging & Mental Health
Published
2018-12-06
Volume
23
Issue
12
Pages
1691-1700
ISSN
  • 1360-7863 (ISSN-L)
  • 1364-6915
OpenAlex
W2904489586
Cited by
115
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5
FWCI
5.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Aging & Mental Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Repository@Hull (Worktribe) (University of Hull) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity) (cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
ESRC (RES-060-25-0060)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
Keywords
social isolation, cognitive reserve, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, older adults, loneliness, social contact, cognitive decline, mood improvement
MeSH terms
Aged, Anxiety, Cognition, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Isolation, Cognitive Reserve

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