Is Social Network a Protective Factor for Cognitive Impairment in US Chinese Older Adults? Findings from the PINE Study

Abstract

Background: Social network has been identified as a protective factor for cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between social network and global and subdomains of cognitive function remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to provide an analytic framework to examine quantity, composition, and quality of social network and investigate the association between social network, global cognition, and cognitive domains among US Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a community-engaged, population-based epidemiological study of US Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in the greater Chicago area, with a sample size of 3,157. Social network was assessed by network size, volume of contact, proportion kin, proportion female, proportion co-resident, and emotional closeness. Cognitive function was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, executive function, working memory, and Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (C-MMSE). Linear regression and quantile regression were performed. Results: Every 1-point increase in network size (b = 0.048, p < 0.001) and volume of contact (b = 0.049, p < 0.01) and every 1-point decrease in proportion kin (b = -0.240, p < 0.01) and proportion co-resident (b = -0.099, p < 0.05) were associated with higher level of global cognition. Similar trends were observed in specific cognitive domains, including episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and C-MMSE. However, emotional closeness was only significantly associated with C-MMSE (b = 0.076, p < 0.01). Social network has differential effects on female versus male older adults. Conclusion: This study found that social network dimensions have different relationships with global and domains of cognitive function. Quantitative and structural aspects of social network were essential to maintain an optimal level of cognitive function. Qualitative aspects of social network were protective factors for C-MMSE. It is necessary for public health practitioners to consider interventions that enhance different aspects of older adults' social network.

Longitudinal Associations Between Contact Frequency with Friends and with Family, Activity Engagement, and Cognitive Functioning

“…Prior cross-sectional investigations have found that having a greater portion of family within one’s social network is associated with lower cognition (Li & Dong, 2018; Sharifian et al, 2019). Furthermore, having a higher number of close friends, but not children or neighbors, has been linked to better global cognition (Wang, He, & Dong, 2015).…”

Social Networks, Community Engagement, and Cognitive Impairment among Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults

“…However, nearly 75′ of cognitively normal individuals aged 70–79 years are free of significant amyloid on PET imaging [6]. Along with this biomarker research, numerous studies have reported that modifiable behaviors such as lifestyle factors, social contacts, and community activities are also related to an increased risk for cognitive impairment, although the results have shown varying degrees and strengths of these relationships [4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11].…”

The Association Between Personality and Loneliness: Findings From a Community-Dwelling Chinese Aging Population

“…Previous qualitative investigations found that distinguished from the emphasis of friend-oriented social relationships in Western societies, intergenerational relationships are more important for the Chinese older people ( Dong, Chang, Wong, & Simon, 2012 ). Perceived inadequate intergenerational support and shrank social network are key indicators for depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment for the Chinese older adults ( Dong, Li, & Hua, 2017 ; Li & Dong, 2018 ). Moreover, the role of personality on loneliness might vary across populations.…”