Relationship between socioeconomic status and cognitive ability among Chinese older adults : the moderating role of social support
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Related Research Unit(s)
Detail(s)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 70 |
| Journal / Publication | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| Volume | 22 |
| Online published | 24 Apr 2023 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Link(s)
| DOI | DOI |
|---|---|
| Attachment(s) | Documents
Publisher's Copyright Statement
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| Link to Scopus | https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85153687215&origin=recordpage |
| Permanent Link | https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(0fbd936d-0bff-4d84-8c64-37196d7edc03).html |
Abstract
Background Understanding the causes and pathways of cognitive decline among older populations is of great importance in China. This study aims to examine whether the discrepancy in socioeconomic status (SES) makes a difference to the cognitive ability among Chinese older adults, and to disentangle the moderating role of different types of social support in the process in which SES influences cognition.
Methods We utilized a nationally representative sample from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A cumulative SES score was constructed to measure the combined effect of different socioeconomic statuses on the cognitive ability of the elderly. We further examined the moderating role of two types of social support, including emotional support, and financial support. Hierarchical regression analysis was applied to test the direct effect of SES on cognitive ability, and to investigate the moderating role of social support on the association of the SES with the dependent variables.
Results The results showed that the higher SES of older adults was significantly associated with better cognitive ability (β = 0.52, p <0.001) after controlling for age, sex, marital status, living region, Hukou, health insurance, lifestyle factors, and physical health status. Emotional support and financial support were moderated the relationship between SES score and cognitive ability.
Conclusion Our results reveal the importance of considering social support in buffering the effects of SES and the associated cognitive ability for aging populations. It highlights the importance of narrowing the socioeconomic gap among the elderly. Policymakers should consider promoting social support to improve the cognitive ability among older adults.
© The Author(s) 2023.
Methods We utilized a nationally representative sample from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A cumulative SES score was constructed to measure the combined effect of different socioeconomic statuses on the cognitive ability of the elderly. We further examined the moderating role of two types of social support, including emotional support, and financial support. Hierarchical regression analysis was applied to test the direct effect of SES on cognitive ability, and to investigate the moderating role of social support on the association of the SES with the dependent variables.
Results The results showed that the higher SES of older adults was significantly associated with better cognitive ability (β = 0.52, p <0.001) after controlling for age, sex, marital status, living region, Hukou, health insurance, lifestyle factors, and physical health status. Emotional support and financial support were moderated the relationship between SES score and cognitive ability.
Conclusion Our results reveal the importance of considering social support in buffering the effects of SES and the associated cognitive ability for aging populations. It highlights the importance of narrowing the socioeconomic gap among the elderly. Policymakers should consider promoting social support to improve the cognitive ability among older adults.
© The Author(s) 2023.
Research Area(s)
- Cognitive ability, Social Support, Socioeconomic status disparities
Citation Format(s)
Relationship between socioeconomic status and cognitive ability among Chinese older adults: the moderating role of social support. / Shi, Leiyu; Tao, Lei; Chen, Nanqian et al.
In: International Journal for Equity in Health, Vol. 22, 70, 2023.
In: International Journal for Equity in Health, Vol. 22, 70, 2023.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
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