Social Networks, Social Integration, and Social Engagement Determine Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Spanish Older Adults
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the influence of social networks and social engagement on cognitive decline in a population-based cohort of elderly people, and to assess gender differences in the effect of social relations on cognition. METHODS: A longitudinal study of community-dwelling people over 65 was carried out. Cognitive function (orientation and memory) in 1997 and cognitive decline (absent, mild, and severe) over 4 years (1993-1997) were assessed using an instrument previously validated for populations with a low level of education. The effect of social networks, social integration, and social engagement with friends, children, and relatives on cognitive function and cognitive decline was estimated by multiple linear and logistic regressions after adjusting for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and functional status. RESULTS: Poor social connections, infrequent participation in social activities, and social disengagement predict the risk of cognitive decline in elderly individuals. The probability of cognitive decline was lower for both men and women with a high frequency of visual contact with relatives and community social integration. Engagement with friends seemed to be protective for cognitive decline in women but not in men. DISCUSSION: This longitudinal study indicates that few social ties, poor integration, and social disengagement are risk factors for cognitive decline among community-dwelling elderly persons. The nature of the ties that influence cognition may vary in men and women.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Studies measuring social activity and participation alone have found positive associations with cognition.
“Studies focusing exclusively on measuring social activity and participation have yielded positive results”
From Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced? (2008) · cites this paper as Zunzunegui, Alvarado, Del Ser, & Otoro, 2003
Evidence on social support and cognitive decline is mixed.
“evidence on social support has been mixed”
From Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced? (2008) · cites this paper as Zunzunegui et al., 2003
Analyses of social-network size have had mixed results.
“analyses of social-network size have had mixed results”
From Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced? (2008) · cites this paper as Zunzunegui et al., 2003
Engaging with people in the social network and participating in social activity is cognitively effortful and hence may contribute to building cognitive reserve and enhancing cognitive function.
“From a cognitive reserve perspective, engaging with people in the social network and participating in social activity is cognitively effortful and hence may contribute to building cognitive reserve and enhancing cognitive function [24, 51].”
From Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in Later Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2019) · cites this paper as [51]
Cites
Protective and Damaging Effects of Stress Mediators
McEwen, B. S. (1998) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199801153380307 · Cited by 6,733 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Stress may favor neurodegenerative processes, especially in the hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in the memory process (McEwen, 1998; O’Brien, Ames, & Schweitzer, 1993).”
BackgroundBERKMAN, L. F., & SYME, S. L. (1979) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112674 · Cited by 5,341 · see citing works
From social integration to health: durkheim in the new millennium
Berkman, L. F., Glass, T., Brissette, I., & Seeman, T. E. (2000) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00065-4 · Cited by 4,821 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
An active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life might protect against dementia
Fratiglioni, L., Paillard-Borg, S., & Winblad, B. (2004) · The Lancet Neurology · doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(04)00767-7 · Cited by 2,135 · see citing works
Hertzog, C., Kramer, A. F., Wilson, R. S., & Lindenberger, U. (2008) · Psychological Science in the Public Interest · doi:10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01034.x · Cited by 1,495 · see citing works
Kelly, M. E., Duff, H., Kelly, S., McHugh Power, J. E., Brennan, S., Lawlor, B. A., & Loughrey, D. G. (2017) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-017-0632-2 · Cited by 1,027 · see citing works
A Review of Social Isolation: An Important but Underassessed Condition in Older Adults
Nicholson, N. R. (2012) · The Journal of Primary Prevention · doi:10.1007/s10935-012-0271-2 · Cited by 781 · see citing works
Plassman, B. L., Williams, J. W., Burke, J. R., Holsinger, T., & Benjamin, S. (2010) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-153-3-201008030-00258 · Cited by 681 · see citing works
Late-Life Social Activity and Cognitive Decline in Old Age
James, B. D., Wilson, R. S., Barnes, L. L., & Bennett, D. A. (2011) · Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society · doi:10.1017/s1355617711000531 · Cited by 590 · see citing works
Wada, K., & Shibata, T. (2007) · IEEE Transactions on Robotics · doi:10.1109/tro.2007.906261 · Cited by 583 · see citing works
Social resources and cognitive decline in a population of older African Americans and whites
Barnes, L. L., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Wilson, R. S., Bienias, J. L., & Evans, D. A. (2004) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000147473.04043.b3 · Cited by 572 · see citing works
Social Engagement and Depressive Symptoms in Late Life: Longitudinal Findings
Glass, T. A., De Leon, C. F. M., Bassuk, S. S., & Berkman, L. F. (2006) · Journal of Aging and Health · doi:10.1177/0898264306291017 · Cited by 561 · see citing works
Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in Later Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Evans, I. E. M., Martyr, A., Collins, R., Brayne, C., & Clare, L. (2019) · Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-180501 · Cited by 531 · see citing works
Douglas, H., Georgiou, A., & Westbrook, J. (2017) · Australian Health Review · doi:10.1071/ah16038 · Cited by 401 · see citing works
Social Network, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Incidence Among Elderly Women
Crooks, V. C., Lubben, J., Petitti, D. B., Little, D., & Chiu, V. (2008) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2007.115923 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
Ertel, K. A., Glymour, M. M., & Berkman, L. F. (2008) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2007.113654 · Cited by 395 · see citing works
SMITH, K. J., & VICTOR, C. (2019) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x18000132 · Cited by 337 · see citing works
Social isolation in older adults: an evolutionary concept analysis
Nicholson Jr., N. R. (2009) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04959.x · Cited by 328 · see citing works
Kuiper, J. S., Zuidersma, M., Zuidema, S. U., Burgerhof, J. G. M., Stolk, R. P., Oude Voshaar, R. C., & Smidt, N. (2016) · International Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/ije/dyw089 · Cited by 301 · see citing works
Bourassa, K. J., Memel, M., Woolverton, C., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2015.1081152 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Social participation and mental health: moderating effects of gender, social role and rurality
Takagi, D., Kondo, K., & Kawachi, I. (2013) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-701 · Cited by 250 · see citing works
Environmental influences on healthy and active ageing: a systematic review
ANNEAR, M., KEELING, S., WILKINSON, T., CUSHMAN, G., GIDLOW, B., & HOPKINS, H. (2014) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x1200116x · Cited by 246 · see citing works
Trajectories of Cognitive Decline and Social Relations
Béland, F., Zunzunegui, M.-V., Alvarado, B., Otero, A., & del Ser, T. (2005) · The Journals of Gerontology: Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/60.6.p320 · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Self-citationHaslam, C., Cruwys, T., & Haslam, S. A. (2014) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.08.037 · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Promoting Community Wellbeing: The Case for Lifelong Learning for Older Adults
Merriam, S. B., & Kee, Y. (2014) · Adult Education Quarterly · doi:10.1177/0741713613513633 · Cited by 233 · see citing works
Gow, A. J., Pattie, A., Whiteman, M. C., Whalley, L. J., & Deary, I. J. (2007) · Journal of Individual Differences · doi:10.1027/1614-0001.28.3.103 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
Neophytou, E., Manwell, L. A., & Eikelboom, R. (2021) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-019-00182-2 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
van Gelder, B. M., Tijhuis, M., Kalmijn, S., Giampaoli, S., Nissinen, A., & Kromhout, D. (2006) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/61.4.p213 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Which Social Network or Support Factors are Associated with Cognitive Abilities in Old Age?
Gow, A. J., Corley, J., Starr, J. M., & Deary, I. J. (2013) · Gerontology · doi:10.1159/000351265 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
Does loneliness mediate the relation between social support and cognitive functioning in later life
Ellwardt, L., Aartsen, M., Deeg, D., & Steverink, N. (2013) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.002 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Winningham, R. G., & Pike, N. L. (2007) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607860701366228 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Living alone and cognitive function in later life
Evans, I. E. M., Llewellyn, D. J., Matthews, F. E., Woods, R. T., Brayne, C., & Clare, L. (2019) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2018.12.014 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Dodge, H. H., Zhu, J., Mattek, N. C., Bowman, M., Ybarra, O., Wild, K. V., Loewenstein, D. A., & Kaye, J. A. (2015) · Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.trci.2015.01.001 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Saito, T., Murata, C., Saito, M., Takeda, T., & Kondo, K. (2018) · Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech-2017-209811 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Gender, social engagement, and limitations in late life
Thomas, P. A. (2011) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.07.035 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Cognitive effects of social media use: A case of older adults
Quinn, K. (2018) · Social Media + Society · doi:10.1177/2056305118787203 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Park, N. S., Jang, Y., Lee, B. S., Haley, W. E., & Chiriboga, D. A. (2013) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbs062 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Conroy, R. M., Golden, J., Jeffares, I., O'Neill, D., & McGee, H. (2010) · Psychology, Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2010.487103 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
The mix matters: Complex personal networks relate to higher cognitive functioning in old age
Ellwardt, L., Van Tilburg, T. G., & Aartsen, M. J. (2015) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.05.007 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Correlates of Subjective Cognitive Decline in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults
Flatt, J. D., Johnson, J. K., Karpiak, S. E., Seidel, L., Larson, B., & Brennan-Ing, M. (2018) · Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-171061 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Gender matters: productive social engagement and the subsequent cognitive changes among older adults
Lee, Y., & Jean Yeung, W.-J. (2019) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.024 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Social participation of people with chronic wounds: a systematic review
Klein, T. M., Andrees, V., Kirsten, N., Protz, K., Augustin, M., & Blome, C. (2021) · International Wound Journal · doi:10.1111/iwj.13533 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Giles, L. C., Anstey, K. J., Walker, R. B., & Luszcz, M. A. (2012) · Journal of Aging Research · doi:10.1155/2012/856048 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Wang, B., He, P., & Dong, B. (2015) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2015.01.002 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Liao, J., & Scholes, S. (2017) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kwx142 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Cognitive function and associated factors among older people in Taiwan: Age and sex differences
Li, C.-L., & Hsu, H.-C. (2015) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2014.10.007 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Social resources and cognitive ageing across 30 years: The Glostrup 1914 Cohort
Gow, A. J., & Mortensen, E. L. (2016) · Age and Ageing · doi:10.1093/ageing/afw070 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Enhancing social engagement of older adults through technology
Bixter, M. T., Blocker, K. A., & Rogers, W. A. (2018) · Aging, Technology and Health · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-811272-4.00008-7 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Retirement and cognition: a life course view
Denier, N., Clouston, S. A. P., Richards, M., & Hofer, S. M. (2017) · Advances in Life Course Research · doi:10.1016/j.alcr.2016.10.004 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Katja, P., Timo, T., Taina, R., & Tiina-Mari, L. (2014) · European Journal of Ageing · doi:10.1007/s10433-013-0295-3 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
McHugh Power, J., Tang, J., Lawlor, B., Kenny, R. A., & Kee, F. (2018) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2016.1233935 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Wu, J., Hasselgren, C., Zettergren, A., Zetterberg, H., Blennow, K., Skoog, I., & Halleröd, B. (2020) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1531368 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Healthy memory aging - the benefits of regular daily activities increase with age
Krakovska, O., Christie, G. J., Farzan, F., Sixsmith, A., Ester, M., & Moreno, S. (2021) · Aging · doi:10.18632/aging.203753 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Zhou, M., Cheng, Z., Sabran, K., & Zahari, Z. A. (2024) · Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology · doi:10.1080/17483107.2023.2294988 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
- Authors
- Zunzunegui, M.-V., Alvarado, B. E., Del Ser, T., & Otero, A.
- Affiliations
- Université de Montréal (CA)
- ORCID
- Alvarado, B. E.
- Venue
- The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2003-03-01
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- S93-S100
- ISSN
- 1079-5014 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-5368
- PMC
- PMC3833829
- OpenAlex
- W2162294947
- Cited by
- 719
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 48 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 44 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 46 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 35 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 6.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- The Journals of Gerontology Series B (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Keywords
- cognitive decline, social networks, social integration, social engagement, older adults, community-dwelling older adults, gender differences, social ties, social disengagement, memory, orientation, relatives, friends, cognitive function
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cognition Disorders, Family Relations, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Sex Factors, Social Behavior, Social Support, Spain
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
