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. 2017 Jan;72(1):120-128.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbw037. Epub 2016 Mar 24.

Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Bao-Liang Zhong  1   2 , Shu-Lin Chen  3   4 , Xin Tu  5 , Yeates Conwell  3
Affiliations

Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Bao-Liang Zhong et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the relationship between loneliness and cognitive function and to explore the mediating role of physical health on the loneliness-cognition relationship in Chinese older adults (OAs).

Method: Data came from a nationally representative sample of 14,199 Chinese OAs (aged 65+) from 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A latent variable cross-lagged panel model combined with mediation analysis was used to determine the relationship between loneliness and cognitive function and the mediating effect of increase in the number of chronic conditions (ΔNCCs) on the ascertained loneliness-cognition relationship.

Results: Severe loneliness at prior assessment points was significantly associated with poorer cognitive function at subsequent assessments, and vice versa. The ΔNCCs partially mediated this prospective reciprocal relationships, accounting for 2.58% of the total effect of loneliness on cognition and 4.44% of the total effect of cognition on loneliness, respectively.

Discussion: Loneliness may predict subsequent cognitive decline, and vice versa. This loneliness-cognition relationship is partially explained by their impact on physical health. Multidisciplinary interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and cognitive decline per se and their associated risk factors as well as improving chronic illness management would be beneficial for emotional well-being and cognitive health in OAs.

Keywords: Chronic condition; Cognitive function; Cross-lagged panel analysis; Loneliness; Mediation; Older adults.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Latent variable cross-lagged panel model of reciprocal relationship between loneliness and cognitive function. Parcels of cognitive function, overtime correlations between parcel-specific residuals, fixed residual variances of loneliness, and control variables are not shown to enhance clarity. Unstandardized regression coefficients are presented. ***p < .001.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mediating effect of increase in the number of chronic conditions (ΔNCCs) on reciprocal relationship between loneliness and cognitive function. Parcels of cognitive function, overtime correlations between parcel-specific residuals, fixed residual variances of loneliness, and control variables are not shown to enhance clarity. Unstandardized regression coefficients are presented. ***p < .001 and **p < .01.
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