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

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  • Silvana Miceli

    (University of Palermo)

  • Laura Maniscalco

    (University of Palermo)

  • Domenica Matranga

    (University of Palermo)

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the role of social activities, social networks as well as socioeconomic status (SES) in influencing some aspects of cognitive functioning (immediate and delayed verbal recall tests and semantic verbal fluency) in elderly people over time. This analysis was conducted on a sample of 31,954 healthy elderly people (58% female, mean age 65.54 ± 9.74) interviewed in both the fourth and sixth waves of the Survey on Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), in 2011 and 2015. A structural equation model with measurement component was used to assess the relationship between cognitive function, social life and SES over time. Multilevel ordinal logistic regression was applied to explain satisfaction with social network in relation to different types of social network across countries. Being equipped with good cognitive skills did not seem to be predictive of their maintenance over time (latent coefficient = 0.24, p value = 0.34). On the contrary, the subject’s social and participatory life, understood as satisfying one’s social network and engaging in diversified non-professional social activities, seemed to play a crucial role in the maintenance of cognitive functions in the elderly (latent coefficient = 3.5, p value = 0.03). This research suggests that a socially active and participatory lifestyle mitigates the effects of the physiological process of brain aging.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvana Miceli & Laura Maniscalco & Domenica Matranga, 2019. "Social networks and social activities promote cognitive functioning in both concurrent and prospective time: evidence from the SHARE survey," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 145-154, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:16:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s10433-018-0486-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-018-0486-z
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    1. Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt & Sören Möller, 2021. "The Reciprocal Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Health and the Influence of Sex: A European SHARE-Analysis Based on Structural Equation Modeling," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Dorota Szcześniak & Marta Lenart-Bugla & Błażej Misiak & Anna Zimny & Marek Sąsiadek & Katarzyna Połtyn-Zaradna & Katarzyna Zatońska & Tomasz Zatoński & Andrzej Szuba & Eric E. Smith & Salim Yusuf & J, 2022. "Unraveling the Protective Effects of Cognitive Reserve on Cognition and Brain: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Yang, Yulin & Huang, Rui & Grol-Prokopczyk, Hanna & Torres, Jacqueline M., 2022. "Social network change after new-onset pain among middle-aged and older European adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    4. Domenica Matranga & Laura Maniscalco, 2022. "Inequality in Healthcare Utilization in Italy: How Important Are Barriers to Access?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, February.

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