Association of Religious Service Attendance and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Disturbances in All-Cause Dementia

Katherine Carroll Britt; Kathy C Richards; Gayle Acton; Jill Hamilton; Kavita Radhakrishnan

doi:10.3390/ijerph20054300

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Association of Religious Service Attendance and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Disturbances in All-Cause Dementia

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Association of Religious Service Attendance and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Disturbances in All-Cause Dementia

Katherine Carroll Britt, Kathy C Richards, Gayle Acton, Jill Hamilton and Kavita Radhakrishnan

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.20(5), p.4300

02/28/2023

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054300

PMCID: PMC10001618

PMID: 36901315

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Abstract

Commonly reported in dementia, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), cognitive decline, and sleep disturbances indicate dementia progression. With the growing dementia burden, identifying protective factors that may slow dementia progression is increasingly essential. Religion and spirituality are associated with better mental and physical health, yet few studies have been reported in older adults with dementia. This study examines associations between religious service attendance and symptoms of dementia progression. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study in 2000, 2006, and 2008 and the sub-study, Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study in 2001-2003, 2006-2007, and 2008-2009, we examined the association of religious attendance with neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive function, and sleep disturbances among U.S. older adults aged 70 years and older with all-cause dementia ( = 72) using Spearman's partial Rho correlation controlling for social interaction. Significant associations were identified for religious attendance and NPS (r (97) = -0.124, 95% CI [-0.129, -0.119], < 0.0005); cognitive function, r (97) = -0.018, 95% CI [-0.023, -0.013], < 0.001); and sleep disturbances, r (97) = -0.275, 95% CI [-0.280, -0.271], < 0.0005). Beyond adjusting for social interaction, increased religious attendance was associated with lower NPS, better cognitive function, and fewer sleep disturbances. Clinical trials and longitudinal studies with a larger sample size examining religion and spirituality factors with dementia progression are warranted.

Aged

Aged, 80 and over

Cognition

Dementia

Humans

Religion

Sleep

Sleep Wake Disorders

Spirituality

Details

Title: Subtitle: Association of Religious Service Attendance and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Disturbances in All-Cause Dementia
Creators: Katherine Carroll Britt - University of Pennsylvania
Kathy C Richards - The University of Texas at Austin
Gayle Acton - The University of Texas at Austin
Jill Hamilton - Emory University
Kavita Radhakrishnan - The University of Texas at Austin
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.20(5), p.4300
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054300
PMID: 36901315
PMCID: PMC10001618
NLM abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN: 1661-7827
eISSN: 1660-4601
Grant note: T32 NR009356 / NINR NIH HHS U01 AG009740 / NIA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/28/2023
Academic Unit: Nursing; Center for Social Science Innovation
Record Identifier: 9984701829502771

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