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DIRECTION MATTERS: THE ASYMMETRICAL EFFECT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ON COGNITION
Abstract   Open access   Peer reviewed

DIRECTION MATTERS: THE ASYMMETRICAL EFFECT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ON COGNITION

Jay Kayser and Kimson Johnson
Innovation in aging, Vol.8(Suppl 1), pp.1303-1303
12/31/2024
DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igae098.4164
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae098.4164View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Social isolation poses significant risks to cognitive health in older adults, with isolated individuals facing higher risks of cognitive impairment. However, existing research assumes symmetrical effects of increases and decreases in social isolation. This study examines the impact of changes in social isolation on cognition using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2018). Social isolation was measured using a 4-item scale based on Berkman and Syme’s Social Network Index, and cognition was assessed using a dichotomous classification of dementia (no dementia vs possible or probable dementia) and domain-specific cognitive testing. Fixed-effects models with first differencing and robust standard errors were used to estimate the asymmetrical effects of variations in social isolation on cognition. Increases in social isolation increased the odds of possible or probable dementia (OR=1.13, p =.02), while decreases in isolation did not decrease odds of dementia classification. For specific cognitive domains, increased social isolation predicted decreased recall (β = -0.07, p =.02) but decreased social isolation did not predict increased recall. Both increases and decreases in social isolation were associated with changes in orientation such that decreased social isolation predicted improved orientation (β = 0.06, p <.001), and increased social isolation predicted lower orientation (β = - 0.06, p <.001). Executive function was not predicted by changes in social isolation. These findings highlight the asymmetrical nature of changes in social isolation on cognition. Social isolation primary prevention efforts may yield a greater impact in reducing adverse cognitive outcomes than secondary and tertiary interventions.
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