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Social Support and Cognitive Impairment: Results from a Portuguese 4-Year Prospective Study

Author

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  • Ricardo Pais

    (EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
    Unidade de Saúde Familiar Lusitana, 3514-511 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Luís Ruano

    (EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Neurologia, Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga, 4520-211 Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal)

  • Carla Moreira

    (EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal)

  • Sílvia Fraga

    (EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Ofélia P. Carvalho

    (EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Henrique Barros

    (EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

(1) Background: In an ageing society, social relationships may benefit cognitive performance with an impact on the health of older people. This study aims to estimate the effect of different social support sources on the risk of cognitive impairment in a sample of older Portuguese people. (2) Methods: From the Portuguese EpiPorto cohort study, we followed a sample of participants with 60 to 85 years ( N = 656) between 2009 and 2015 (4.63 mean years of follow-up). The participants’ perception of social support from family, friends and significant others was evaluated. Cox’s regression models were used to investigate the association between this and sociodemographic variables. (3) Results: It was found that social support from friends reduces the risk of cognitive impairment. Men, participants aged 60 to 64 and those not married have a lower risk of cognitive impairment after adjusting for other variables. Participants between 80 and 85 years old ( p = 0.021), those with less than four years of education ( p < 0.001), and those with cognitive impairment ( p = 0.007) have perception of less social support from friends. (4) Conclusions: A social support network from friends reduces the risk of cognitive impairment for older people.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo Pais & Luís Ruano & Carla Moreira & Sílvia Fraga & Ofélia P. Carvalho & Henrique Barros, 2021. "Social Support and Cognitive Impairment: Results from a Portuguese 4-Year Prospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8841-:d:619366
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. Chiyoe Murata & Tami Saito & Taishi Tsuji & Masashige Saito & Katsunori Kondo, 2017. "A 10-Year Follow-Up Study of Social Ties and Functional Health among the Old: The AGES Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-9, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nina Tumosa, 2023. "Using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework to Track Wellness and Health Promotion Priorities of Older Adults in the Global Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-5, March.

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