DOES LONELINESS MEDIATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EARLY-LIFE ADVERSITY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN LATER LIFE?
2024
Does Loneliness Affect Cognitive Function in Older Adults?
Sample size: 10787
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Ren Jinnan, Ferraro Kenneth
Primary Institution: Purdue University - West Lafayette
Hypothesis
Does loneliness mediate the relationship between early-life adversity and cognitive function in later life?
Conclusion
Loneliness partially mediates the relationship between certain early-life risk factors and cognitive decline in later life.
Supporting Evidence
- Negative childhood experiences are linked to cognitive decline in later life.
- Loneliness in later life can mediate the effects of early-life adversity on cognitive function.
- Certain early-life adversity domains are associated with cognitive function in later life.
Takeaway
This study found that feeling lonely can make it harder for older people to think clearly, especially if they had tough childhoods.
Methodology
Analyzed three waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study using structural equation modeling.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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