The association between functional social support, marital status and memory in middle-aged and older adults: An analysis of the canadian longitudinal study on aging
Paniz Haghighi , Leilei Zeng , Suzanne L. Tyas , Samantha B. Meyer , Mark Oremus
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Although several studies have reported positive associations between functional social support (FSS) and memory, few have explored how other social variables, such as marital status, may affect the magnitude and direction of this association. We examined whether marital status modifies the association between FSS and memory in a sample of community-dwelling, middle-aged and older adults.
Methods
Data at three timepoints, spanning six years, were analyzed from the Tracking Cohort of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (n = 10,318). Linear mixed models were used to regress memory onto FSS across all three timepoints, adjusting for multiple covariates. The moderating effect of marital status was assessed by adding its interaction with FSS in the model. Separate regression models were built for overall FSS and four subtypes (positive interactions, affectionate, emotional/informational, and tangible support).
Results
We found significant and positive adjusted associations for overall FSS (β: 0.07; 95 % CI: 0.01, 0.13), positive interactions (β: 0.06; 95 % CI: 0.01, 0.11), and affectionate support (β: 0.05; 95 % CI: 0.00, 0.11) with memory. However, the interaction between marital status and FSS (overall and subtypes) was not statistically significant (likelihood ratio test p-value = 0.75), indicating that FSS does not have differing effects on memory depending on marital status.
Conclusion
Our findings do not provide evidence to suggest that marital status affects the association between FSS and memory in middle-aged and older adults. Nonetheless, policymakers and practitioners should take a comprehensive approach when exploring how various dimensions of social relationships may uniquely influence cognitive trajectories.
期刊介绍:
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics provides a medium for the publication of papers from the fields of experimental gerontology and clinical and social geriatrics. The principal aim of the journal is to facilitate the exchange of information between specialists in these three fields of gerontological research. Experimental papers dealing with the basic mechanisms of aging at molecular, cellular, tissue or organ levels will be published.
Clinical papers will be accepted if they provide sufficiently new information or are of fundamental importance for the knowledge of human aging. Purely descriptive clinical papers will be accepted only if the results permit further interpretation. Papers dealing with anti-aging pharmacological preparations in humans are welcome. Papers on the social aspects of geriatrics will be accepted if they are of general interest regarding the epidemiology of aging and the efficiency and working methods of the social organizations for the health care of the elderly.