Cited by 572Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchAging and Gerontology ResearchHealth disparities and outcomes

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

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation of social resources and cognitive decline in older adults. METHODS: Data are from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, an epidemiologic study of risk factors for Alzheimer disease (AD) and other common conditions in a geographically defined population of older persons. The sample consisted of 6,102 non-Hispanic African Americans (61.2%) and whites, aged > or = 65, who underwent up to three interviews during an average of 5.3 years of follow-up. Each interview included administration of four cognitive function tests from which a composite measure of cognition was formed. Social networks were based on the number of children, relatives, and friends seen at least once a month. Social engagement was measured with four items related to social and productive activity. RESULTS: Higher number of social networks and level of social engagement were positively correlated with initial level of cognitive function (networks estimate = 0.003, engagement estimate = 0.060, both p < 0.001). Both resources were also associated with a reduced rate of cognitive decline. A high (90th percentile) number of networks reduced the rate of decline by 39% compared to a low level (10th percentile), and high social engagement reduced decline by 91%. These relations remained after controlling for socioeconomic status, cognitive activity, physical activity, depressive symptoms, and chronic medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Greater social resources, as defined by social networks and social engagement, are associated with reduced cognitive decline in old age.

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Crossref · 10.1212/01.wnl.0000147473.04043.b3

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  • Analyses of social-network size have had mixed results.

    “analyses of social-network size have had mixed results”
  • 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 Barnes, Mendes de Leon, Wilson, Bienias, & Evans, 2004

  • The relation of social engagement with loss of cognition has been observed after controlling for some or all of depressive symptomatology, cognitive activity, and physical activity.

    “The relation of social engagement with loss of cognition has been observed after controlling for some (Bassuk et al., 1999; Fratiglioni et al., 2000; Scarmeas et al., 2001; Zunzunegui et al., 2003) or all (Barnes et al., 2004; Wang et al., 2002; Wilson, Krueger, et al., 2007) of these variables, however, making this explanation less likely.”
  • Low engagement in social activity has been associated with poor cognitive outcomes.

    “Social isolation (DiNapoli, Wu, & Scogin, 2014;Shankar, Hamer, McMunn, & Steptoe, 2013), feelings of loneliness (Conroy, Golden, Jeffares, O'Neill, & McGee, 2010;Ellwardt, Aartsen, Deeg, & Steverink, 2013;Fung, Leung, & Lam, 2011;Gerst-Emerson, Shovali, & Markides, 2014;Gow et al., 2013;O'Luanaigh et al., 2012;Shankar et al., 2013;Tilvis et al., 2004), and low engagement in social activity (Barnes”

    From Living alone and cognitive function in later life (2019) · cites this paper as Barnes et al., 2004

  • Social interactions are effortful and require the mobilisation of complex cognitive processes, and therefore may help to build reserve and maintain cognitive function.

    “Social interactions are effortful and require the mobilisation of complex cognitive processes, and therefore may help to build reserve and maintain cognitive function (Barnes et al., 2004;Fratiglioni, Paillard-Borg, & Winblad, 2004).”

    From Living alone and cognitive function in later life (2019) · cites this paper as Barnes et al., 2004

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Authors
Barnes, L. L., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Wilson, R. S., Bienias, J. L., & Evans, D. A.
Affiliations
  • Rush University Medical Center (US)
  • From Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center (Drs. Barnes and Wilson) and Rush Institute for Healthy Aging (Drs. Mendes de Leon, Bienias, and Evans) and Departments of Neurological Sciences (Drs. Barnes, Wilson, and Evans), Internal Medicine (Drs. Bienias and Evans), Preventive Medicine (Dr. Mendes de Leon), and Psychology (Drs. Barnes and Wilson), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Venue
Neurology
Published
2004-12-28
Volume
63
Issue
12
Pages
2322-2326
ISSN
  • 0028-3878 (ISSN-L)
  • 1526-632X
OpenAlex
W2044580006
Cited by
572
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 28
FWCI
4.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (AG-11101, R01AG011101)
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R01ES010902, ES 10902)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords
social resources, cognitive decline, social networks, social engagement, older adults, African Americans, white, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive function, Chicago Health and Aging Project
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Black or African American, Chicago, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Educational Status, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Income, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Psychological Tests, Social Behavior, Cohort Studies, Disease Progression, White People

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