Older Adult Social Participation, Gender, and Cognitive Decline

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Identifying ways to delay or prevent cognitive decline and dementia remains a priority of the NIA. As part of this work, there is growing recognition that social participation and community connectedness may reduce the risk of these diseases. Unfortunately, this research has provided little specificity into how various social activities may differentially predict cognitive decline. There has also been little inquiry into how older adult social participation or its relationship with cognition might differ by gender. Unlike many standard survey items (e.g., health, education), there is insufficient consistency with how social participation is measured in social surveys and utilized in empirical research. In particular, the use of social participation “summary measures” (a) may obscure differential associations between cognition and underlying social activities, and (b) often include items that are, arguably, not “social participation” (e.g., meeting with family members). This has resulted in two limitations: One, it is not known which social activities—and to what extent these activities—are driving any associations. Two, it is difficult to compare results among similar studies, raising concerns about validity and reliability. This project has three aims. One, we will investigate how associations between social participation and older adult cognitive functioning differ by social activity. Two, we will identify mechanisms that link particular social activities to cognitive health. Three, we will investigate to what extent associations between social participation and older adult cognitive functioning differ by gender. To accomplish these goals, we will utilize four large nationally representative longitudinal studies of older adults. Dr. Eric Vogelsang, PI, has an established publication record of older adult social participation and health research. The collaborators on this project have extensive experience in cognitive functioning research, mentoring, and NIH grants. Working at a “Super” Hispanic Serving Institution (CSU-San Bernardino), the project will provide research experience to students with limited opportunities. The proposed study will produce three benefits. One, it will inform patients, practitioners, and policy makers looking to delay or prevent the onset of cognitive decline. Two, it will bring recognition to the health implications of gender inequality in older adult social activity. Three, we expect this work to motivate standardization of “social participation” measures in social surveys.