Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementia

Abstract Background Certain age‐related and medical factors have been associated with cognitive dysfunction; however, less is known regarding social determinants of health. The current study aimed to investigate associations between social determinants of health and cognitive function in a populatio...

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Main Authors: Kayla B. Corney, Julie A. Pasco, Amanda L. Stuart, Bianca E. Kavanagh, Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Sophia X. Sui, Lana J. Williams
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-11-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.3235
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author Kayla B. Corney
Julie A. Pasco
Amanda L. Stuart
Bianca E. Kavanagh
Mohammadreza Mohebbi
Sophia X. Sui
Lana J. Williams
author_facet Kayla B. Corney
Julie A. Pasco
Amanda L. Stuart
Bianca E. Kavanagh
Mohammadreza Mohebbi
Sophia X. Sui
Lana J. Williams
author_sort Kayla B. Corney
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Certain age‐related and medical factors have been associated with cognitive dysfunction; however, less is known regarding social determinants of health. The current study aimed to investigate associations between social determinants of health and cognitive function in a population‐based sample of men without dementia. Methods Data were drawn from the ongoing Geelong Osteoporosis Study (n = 536). Cognitive function was determined using the Cog‐State Brief Battery. Area‐based socioeconomic status (SES) was determined using the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage, marital status by self‐report, and social support by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, which considers family, friends, and significant others. Results Belonging to a higher SES group, being in a relationship (married/de‐facto) and perceived social support from a significant other and friends were each associated with better overall cognitive function. In regard to the specific cognitive domains, higher SES was associated with better psychomotor function and visual learning, being in a relationship was associated with better working memory, and perceived social support from a significant other was associated with better attention and working memory, with perceived social support from friends associated with better psychomotor function. There were no associations detected between social support from family and any of the cognitive domains. Conclusion Higher SES, being in a relationship, and greater perceived social support from a significant other and friends were associated with better cognitive function. Further studies identifying underlying mechanisms linking social factors with cognition are needed to establish prevention strategies and enhance cognitive health.
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spelling doaj.art-722b1e4d1edf4736863d0d7dd5a320cd2023-11-10T06:53:59ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792023-11-011311n/an/a10.1002/brb3.3235Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementiaKayla B. Corney0Julie A. Pasco1Amanda L. Stuart2Bianca E. Kavanagh3Mohammadreza Mohebbi4Sophia X. Sui5Lana J. Williams6Deakin University, IMPACT – Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong AustraliaDeakin University, IMPACT – Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong AustraliaDeakin University, IMPACT – Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong AustraliaDeakin University, IMPACT – Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong AustraliaDeakin University, IMPACT – Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong AustraliaDeakin University, IMPACT – Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong AustraliaDeakin University, IMPACT – Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong AustraliaAbstract Background Certain age‐related and medical factors have been associated with cognitive dysfunction; however, less is known regarding social determinants of health. The current study aimed to investigate associations between social determinants of health and cognitive function in a population‐based sample of men without dementia. Methods Data were drawn from the ongoing Geelong Osteoporosis Study (n = 536). Cognitive function was determined using the Cog‐State Brief Battery. Area‐based socioeconomic status (SES) was determined using the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage, marital status by self‐report, and social support by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, which considers family, friends, and significant others. Results Belonging to a higher SES group, being in a relationship (married/de‐facto) and perceived social support from a significant other and friends were each associated with better overall cognitive function. In regard to the specific cognitive domains, higher SES was associated with better psychomotor function and visual learning, being in a relationship was associated with better working memory, and perceived social support from a significant other was associated with better attention and working memory, with perceived social support from friends associated with better psychomotor function. There were no associations detected between social support from family and any of the cognitive domains. Conclusion Higher SES, being in a relationship, and greater perceived social support from a significant other and friends were associated with better cognitive function. Further studies identifying underlying mechanisms linking social factors with cognition are needed to establish prevention strategies and enhance cognitive health.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.3235cognitionsocioeconomic statusmarital statussocial support
spellingShingle Kayla B. Corney
Julie A. Pasco
Amanda L. Stuart
Bianca E. Kavanagh
Mohammadreza Mohebbi
Sophia X. Sui
Lana J. Williams
Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementia
Brain and Behavior
cognition
socioeconomic status
marital status
social support
title Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementia
title_full Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementia
title_fullStr Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementia
title_full_unstemmed Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementia
title_short Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross‐sectional study among men without dementia
title_sort social determinants of health and cognitive function a cross sectional study among men without dementia
topic cognition
socioeconomic status
marital status
social support
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.3235
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