Cognitive Reserve and Social Capital Accrued in Early and Midlife Moderate the Relation of Psychological Stress to Cognitive Performance in Old Age

Abstract

Aims: The present study set out to investigate the relation of psychological stress to cognitive performance and its interplay with key life course markers of cognitive reserve and social capital in a large sample of older adults. Methods: We assessed cognitive performance (verbal abilities and processing speed) and psychological stress in 2,812 older adults. The Participants reported information on education, occupation, leisure activities, family, and close friends. Results: Greater psychological stress was significantly related to lower performance in verbal abilities and processing speed. Moderation analyses suggested that the relations of psychological stress to cognitive performance were reduced in individuals with higher education, a higher cognitive level of the first profession practiced after education, a larger number of midlife leisure activities, a larger number of significant family members, and a larger number of close friends. Conclusion: Cognitive reserve and social capital accrued in early and midlife may reduce the detrimental influences of psychological stress on cognitive functioning in old age.

Does Education Moderate the Relationship between Social Capital and Cognitive Function among Older Adults? Evidence from Suzhou City, China

“…The concept of cognitive reserve is related to the levels of brain function and plays an important role in delaying the onset and reducing the rate of progression of cognitive impairment [ 4 , 5 ]. This concept highlights individuals’ abilities to handle stress and challenges to delay age-related cognitive decline.…”

“…Education and employment are two important social determinants of cognitive reserve [ 7 , 8 ]. Social capital is considered another important domain of reserve [ 4 ]. Supportive social network structure and social participation were found to be significantly associated with higher levels of cognitive function and lower cognitive decline rates in old age.…”

“…As previously discussed, education is an important determinant of cognitive reserve [ 4 , 5 ]. Education plays an important role in providing intellectual stimulation over the life course [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Cognitive Reserve Moderates the Predictive Role of Memory Complaints for Subsequent Decline in Executive Functioning

“…In this regard, the present study reveals cognitive reserve as crucial factor moderating the predictive role of memory complaints for subsequent cognitive development. Specifically, our findings suggest that especially in vulnerable populations, such as in those with less cognitive reserve accumulated [22], memory complaints may serve as early indicator of decline in executive functioning, while in less vulnerable individuals, such as in those with greater cognitive reserve accumulated, this predictive role loses its strength.…”

How valuable are ecopsychosocial interventions in prevention and treatment of dementia?

“…In this paper, The relation of close friends to cognitive performance in old age: the mediating role of leisure activities (Ihle et al, 2018b) report that having close friends enhances cognitive reserve through leisure activities and may help preserve cognitive function in older adults. Previously, the group had reported on cognitive reserve, social capital, and cognitive performance in old age (Ihle et al, 2018a). Markers of cognitive reserve here are education, cognitive level of job, and leisure activities, while markers of social capital are numbers of significant family members and number of close friends.…”