Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Jun 30;4(3):igaa015.
doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaa015. eCollection 2020.

Pathways From Social Activities to Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Physical Activity and Mental Health

Ella Cohn-Schwartz  1
Affiliations

Pathways From Social Activities to Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Physical Activity and Mental Health

Ella Cohn-Schwartz. Innov Aging. .

Abstract

Background and objectives: One of the greatest challenges of old age is the risk of cognitive decline. Engagement in social activities has been identified as a possible protective factor. However, it is not yet clear what are the mechanisms underlying this association. This study aims to elucidate the pathways through which social activities impact cognitive functioning, focusing on physical activity and mental health as possible mediators.

Research design and methods: The study utilized 3 waves of data-the fourth, fifth, and sixth waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, collected in 2011, 2013, and 2015, respectively. It focused on respondents aged 60 and older. Cognitive functioning was assessed via immediate recall, delayed recall, and fluency. Social activities were measured by volunteering and attending social clubs. Data were analyzed using a structural equation modeling approach.

Results: The results indicated a significant direct effect of social activities on cognitive functioning. That is, being socially active at baseline was related to better cognitive function 4 years later. The results also indicated the existence of indirect effects. Engaging in social activities was related to better mental health and more physical activities 2 years later, which were related to better subsequent cognitive performance.

Discussion and implications: These findings highlight the mediating roles of physical activity and mental health in the effects of social activities on cognitive functioning. Understanding these mechanisms can help optimize social activity interventions to improve cognitive aging.

Keywords: Cognition; Depression; Exercise/Physical Activity; Social activity.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Structural equation modeling model of mental health and physical activity as mediators in the relationship between social activities and cognitive functioning. Notes. The following paths were omitted in the figure to increase figure legibility: baseline covariates, covariances between the variables at T1, covariances between the mediators at T2; paths present standardized coefficients; * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Barber S. J. (2017). An examination of age-based stereotype threat about cognitive decline: Implications for stereotype-threat research and theory development. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12, 62–90. doi:10.1177/1745691616656345 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Barnes L. L., Mendes de Leon C. F., Wilson R. S., Bienias J. L., & Evans D. A (2004). Social resources and cognitive decline in a population of older African Americans and whites. Neurology, 63, 2322–2326. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000147473.04043.b3 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Baumgart M., Snyder H. M., Carrillo M. C., Fazio S., Kim H., & Johns H (2015). Summary of the evidence on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia: A population-based perspective. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 11, 718–726. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2015.05.016 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bennett D. A., Schneider J. A., Tang Y., Arnold S. E., & Wilson R. S (2006). The effect of social networks on the relation between Alzheimer’s disease pathology and level of cognitive function in old people: A longitudinal cohort study. The Lancet. Neurology, 5, 406–412. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(06)70417-3 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Berkman L. F., Glass T., Brissette I., & Seeman T. E (2000). From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millennium. Social Science & Medicine (1982), 51, 843–857. doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00065-4 - DOI - PubMed