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Racial and Ethnic Differences in Community Belonging and its Impact on Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel R Nemeth
  • Patricia A Thomas
  • Cassidy M Stoddart
  • Kenneth F Ferraro

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study adds to the literature on the relationship between social relationships and cognitive function by using social integration theory to examine whether a sense of community belonging at different ages is related to cognitive function in later life. We also examine whether the relationship between community belonging, and cognitive function is distinct among White, Black, and Hispanic older adults.MethodsUsing data from the Health and Retirement Study including the 2017 Life History Mail Survey (N = 3,302), we use parallel measures of community belonging across 3 periods in the life course. We estimated relationships using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and lagged dependent variable models.ResultsRespondents who experienced greater community belonging at age 10 and during later life (i.e., age in 2016) had higher levels of cognitive function in 2018 than those who reported feeling less belonging with their community at those ages (b = 0.193, p

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel R Nemeth & Patricia A Thomas & Cassidy M Stoddart & Kenneth F Ferraro, 2025. "Racial and Ethnic Differences in Community Belonging and its Impact on Cognitive Function in Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 80(6), pages 580-586.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:80:y:2025:i:6:p:580-586.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbaf028
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