The Impact of Prior Incarceration on Cognitive Trajectories Among Older Adults: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study.

Objectives: This study examines the association between prior incarceration and cognition trajectories among older adults in the United States.

Methods: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative longitudinal survey of older adults in the United States. The analysis included respondents aged 55 and older who participated in the 2012-2020 HRS surveys and had valid responses on Langa-Weir cognition scores, incarceration history, and covariates (n = 5,663). Cognition trajectories were estimated using group-based trajectory modeling, and multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between prior incarceration and cognition trajectory group membership.

Results: The study identified four distinct cognition trajectories. Formerly incarcerated individuals were significantly more likely to be in cognition trajectory groups defined by lower cognition scores and steeper declines in cognitive functioning over time. However, these associations were attenuated after accounting for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, and all associations were rendered statistically nonsignificant after accounting for educational attainment.

Discussion: These findings highlight poorer cognition among older formerly incarcerated individuals compared with their never incarcerated counterparts, as well as underscore the role of educational attainment in this relationship. Future research and data collection efforts are needed to further understand the nexus between incarceration and cognitive functioning and the mechanisms underpinning this association.