Social networks and social activities promote cognitive functioning in both concurrent and prospective time: evidence from the SHARE survey

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the role of social activities, social networks as well as socioeconomic status (SES)

Self-Perceived Health, Objective Health, and Quality of Life among People Aged 50 and Over: Interrelationship among Health Indicators in Italy, Spain, and Greece

“…In this way, knowledge can be pursued regarding what is actionable for health promotion and wellbeing improvement of elderly people in these Mediterranean countries. Maintaining and increasing functional capacity, maintaining or improving self-care, and fostering one's social network, and also social participation and integration [27], contribute to a longer, more independent, and self-sufficient quality of life [39] with an important impact on individual health status. At the policy level, infrastructure investments can be suggested to favor active aging of elderly people, such as recreation centers with a supply of cultural programs, physical training, and other activities which stimulate high cognitive involvement to enhance executive functions.…”

“…In fact, it is through cognitive functions that people perform most of the daily actions, even the simplest ones, such as driving a car or doing the shopping, and maintaining social relationships and social activities. There is abundant literature showing that cognitive functions can be enhanced and maintained through protective factors, which are linked to lifestyle [24][25][26] and quality of life [27].…”

“…To make it more intriguing to disentangle factors among health status, health perception, and QoL, the abundant literature showing the individual's socio-economic status as a common determinant must also be considered. It has been shown that lifestyle and socio-economic status (SES) indicators are determinants for SPH [8], QoL in older ages [28], and cognitive functioning [27,29].…”

Distinct Functional Connectivity Patterns Are Associated With Social and Cognitive Lifestyle Factors: Pathways to Cognitive Reserve

“…Evans et al (2018) observed a decline in cognitive function in community members who had few ties to family or friends, whereas engaging in social and cognitive leisure activities in middle (Ihle et al, 2018) and older age (Fancourt and Steptoe, 2018) produced positive outcomes for cognition in later life. Furthermore, some research has even suggested that social engagement may be more important than cognitive function in reducing the degree of cognitive decline that occurs during aging (Miceli et al, 2019).…”

Out-of-Home Mobility and Social Participation of Older People: a Photo-Based Ambulatory Assessment Study

“…Being physically active and out-of-home mobility promote people's health (Faß and Schlesinger 2019), autonomy, identity and well-being, even in older age (Claßen et al 2014;Hamer et al 2014;Oswald and Konopik 2015;Wahl et al 2012). Active engagement, which includes active social participation and (active) mobility (Rowe and Kahn 1997), is an essential component of ageing well (Wahl et al 2012), reduces premature mortality (Maier and Klumb 2005;Pynnönen et al 2014;Thomas 2012) and morbidity (Hwang Han et al 2017) and increases cognitive function (Miceli et al 2018) and well-being (Bauman et al 2016). In particular, being with others or belonging to groups (e.g., friends or organised groups, such as clubs) is positively associated with better health and health-related outcomes (Burholt et al 2019;Tomaka et al 2006).…”