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The Association between Social Support and Incident Dementia: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study in Japan

Author

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  • Chiyoe Murata

    (National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu 474-8511, Japan)

  • Tami Saito

    (National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu 474-8511, Japan)

  • Masashige Saito

    (Department of Social Welfare, Nihon Fukushi University, Okuda, Chita-gun, Mihamacho 470-3295, Japan
    Center for Well-being and Society, Nihon Fukushi University, Aichi 460-0012, Japan)

  • Katsunori Kondo

    (National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu 474-8511, Japan
    Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan)

Abstract

Social support is important for the health of elderly populations. However, its longitudinal effect on incident dementia is unclear. We used the Aichi Gerontological Evaluation Study (AGES) project data to investigate the longitudinal effect of social support on dementia onset. Functionally independent older people at baseline ( n = 14,088) in 10 municipalities were followed from 2003 to 2013 using National Long-term Care Insurance System data. Social support was assessed by the following support sources: co-residing family, family or relatives living apart, and friends or neighbors. Cumulative incidence of dementia was 14.6% and 18.7% for men and women, respectively. Cox proportional hazard models were employed by gender to investigate the association between social support and dementia onset adjusting for age, health status, health behaviors, subjective cognitive complaints, depression, and other socioeconomic factors. Gender differences were observed in the association between social support and incident dementia. Support from co-residing family members was protective among men, whereas among women, no effect of social support on dementia was observed. Among other social factors, community engagement was protective for women, while for men, being married was associated with lower incidence of dementia. The association between social support and dementia seems to differ by gender. When we design programs to promote social interactions among the elderly, we need to take into account such gender differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiyoe Murata & Tami Saito & Masashige Saito & Katsunori Kondo, 2019. "The Association between Social Support and Incident Dementia: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-10, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:2:p:239-:d:198101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shuzhen Zhu & Jie Hu & Jimmy T Efird, 2012. "Role of social support in cognitive function among elders," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(15‐16), pages 2118-2125, August.
    2. Sheung-Tak Cheng & Coty K. L. Lee & Alfred C. M. Chan & Edward M. F. Leung & Jik-Joen Lee, 2009. "Social Network Types and Subjective Well-being in Chinese Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 64(6), pages 713-722.
    3. Ronald E. Holtzman & George W. Rebok & Jane S. Saczynski & Anthony C. Kouzis & Kathryn Wilcox Doyle & William W. Eaton, 2004. "Social Network Characteristics and Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 59(6), pages 278-284.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chih-Yun Kuo & Ivo Stachiv & Tomas Nikolai, 2020. "Association of Late Life Depression, (Non-) Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: Literature Review on Current Evidences, Preventive Interventions and Possible ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Rachel L. Peterson & Kristen M. George & Duyen Tran & Pallavi Malladi & Paola Gilsanz & Amy J. H. Kind & Rachel A. Whitmer & Lilah M. Besser & Oanh L. Meyer, 2021. "Operationalizing Social Environments in Cognitive Aging and Dementia Research: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Taiji Noguchi & Ippei Nojima & Tomoe Inoue-Hirakawa & Hideshi Sugiura, 2019. "The Association between Social Support Sources and Cognitive Function among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A One-Year Prospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-9, October.
    4. Hyun Jin Lee & Dong Kun Lee & Wonkyong Song, 2019. "Relationships between Social Capital, Social Capital Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Depression among Elderly Urban Residents: Analysis of Secondary Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Sunghee Kim & Kwisoon Choe & Kyoungsook Lee, 2020. "Depression, Loneliness, Social Support, Activities of Daily Living, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults at High-Risk of Dementia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-10, December.

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