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Abstract
Background Social support is associated with cognitive function at an older age, but how distinct dimensions of social support affect trajectories of cognitive decline in older Chinese adults remains unclear.
Methods Using longitudinal data (waves 1–4) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 7-year trajectories of cognitive decline by various social support markers, including family support, financial support, public support and perceived support, were estimated using latent growth curve modelling for adults aged 60 and over (N=6795).
Results After adjusting for baseline sociodemographics, behaviours, body mass index and health conditions, all social support markers were associated with baseline cognitive function, except for living with spouse. Participants living with spouse experienced a slower cognitive decline (0.069 per year, 95% CI 0.006, 0.133) than those who were not. A faster cognitive decline was associated with co-residing with children (−0.053 per year, 95% CI −0.104, –0.003), receiving ≥¥5000 from children (−0.095 per year, 95% CI −0.179, –0.011), receiving financial support from others (−0.108 per year, 95% CI −0.208, –0.008) and perceived support (−0.068 per year, 95% CI −0.123, –0.013). When all markers were mutually adjusted for, the associations of living with spouse and receiving financial support from others with cognitive decline disappeared. Stratifying by rural–urban residence, medical insurance and meeting children 1–3 times per month were associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in urban residents but not in rural residents.
Conclusion Overall, our findings confirm that the effects of distinct domains of social support on cognitive decline vary. More equally good social security systems should be established in urban and rural China.
- cognition
- epidemiology
- longitudinal studies
Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. Original data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study are available on the CHARLS homepage (http://charls.pku.edu.cn/pages/data/111/en.html).
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Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. Original data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study are available on the CHARLS homepage (http://charls.pku.edu.cn/pages/data/111/en.html).
Footnotes
Contributors YH conceptualised and designed the study. YW analysed the data and prepared the manuscript. YH critically reviewed the manuscript and provided comments. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. YH is the guarantor and accepts full responsibility for the work and/or the conduct of the study, had access to the data, and controlled the decision to publish.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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