The interrelationship between social connectedness and social engagement and its relation with cognition: a study using SHARE data

Abstract

Understanding how psychosocial factors can promote better cognition in mid- and later life is important for making recommendations regarding policies and intervention programmes. This study focuses on two psychosocial aspects (social connectedness and social engagement) in order to assess their independent contribution to explaining cognition, but also how their interrelationship acts on cognition. We hypothesised that each of the factors is positively associated with cognition, but also that a combination of both factors contributes more to cognition than each of the factors independently. Our sample comprises 66,504 individuals who participated in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Multilevel linear regression analyses were performed. The results show that higher levels of social engagement and social connectedness are associated with improved cognition. When studying the interaction of social engagement and social connectedness and its association with cognitive function, the analysis shows that better cognitive scores are found in individuals having high levels of both social engagement and social connectedness. Moreover, when one of these aspects is lacking, the other plays a role in cognition protection. This study indicates the importance of social connectedness and social engagement for preserving/developing cognition, which greatly contributes to the quality of life of middle-aged and older adults.

Wellbeing determinants of household’s ability to make ends meet – A hierarchical regression model for Abu Dhabi

“…The findings of this research stress the importance of a stable home as the foundation for everything in life and particularly in a household's ability to make ends meet (Fujiwara & Campbell, 2011;Lowney et al, 2013). Moreover, the current study confirms the positive role of social support networks or social capital in general in influencing a household's ability to deal with economic hardship (Gray, 2009;Paiva et al, 2021). The presence of such a cluster of social contacts that provides individuals and families with social, emotional, and practical support is well explored in the well-being literature that further highlights the interrelationship between social connectedness and the ability to make ends meet (Hardy & Ziliak, 2014;Tilly, 2012).…”

“…Research confirms that social connectedness that reflects the presence of social ties should be taken into consideration in the reflections on the ability to make ends meet (Gray, 2009;Tilly, 2012). A study by Paiva et al (2021), for example, addressed the interrelationship between social connectedness and other well-being factors, including the ability to make ends meet. When facing financial volatility without any savings as a cushion, families may turn to family and friends to make ends meet (Hardy & Ziliak, 2014).…”

Family Structure and Family Climate in Relation to Health and Socioeconomic Status for Older Adults: A Longitudinal Moderated Mediation Analysis

“…Higher scores represented better family climate. This measure has been used before to capture social network connectedness with SHARE data [ 54 , 59 ] and is consistent with the previous literature on family climate or cohesion [ 18 , 60 ].…”

Associations of Social, Cultural, and Community Engagement With Health Care Utilization in the US Health and Retirement Study

“… 2 There is increasing evidence for the direct and indirect health benefits of SCCE across cultures, especially in older populations. 3 , 4 For example, protective associations have been shown with the maintenance of both physical and mental health, 5 , 6 cognitive function, 7 health-related quality of life, 8 life satisfaction, 9 and longevity. 10 A wide range of causal mechanisms has been proposed to explain these associations, including psychological, biological, social, and behavioral pathways.…”