Anja K Leist
Biographic Data
| ID | 1268009 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Anja K Leist |
| GIVEN NAMES | Anja K |
| FAMILY NAME | Leist |
| SIGNATURE | LEIST A K |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Luxembourg |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5074-5209 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 23 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 24 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Contribution of accumulative affective problems across the life course towards the association of childhood socioeconomic position with later-life cognitive ageing
Socioeconomic inequalities may act on affective and cognitive health from early life through later life. This study tested to what extent the association of childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) with later-life cognitive ageing is explained by life course accumulative affective problems. We used data from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development ( n = 1,593; 52.6% women). Cognitive ageing was assessed through a battery of neuropsycholog…
The unintended effects of a large minimum wage increase on health: Evidence from South Korea
Lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic: Identifying hesitant groups and exploring reasons for vaccination hesitancy, from adolescence to late adulthood
Introduction: The COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease-2019) pandemic highlighted the importance of assessing the rationales behind vaccine hesitancy for the containment of pandemics. In this nationwide study, representative of the Luxembourgish population, we identified hesitant groups from adolescence to late adulthood and explored motivations both for and against vaccination. Methods: We combined data collected via online surveys for the CON-VINCE (C…
Cognitive performance trends among European older adults: Exploring variations across cohorts, gender, and educational levels (2007–2017)
Not applicable
The associations of socioeconomic position with structural brain damage and connectivity and cognitive functioning: The Maastricht Study
We observed substantial SEP differences in later-life cognitive functioning. Associations of structural brain damage and connectivity with cognitive functioning were relatively small, and only marginally explained the SEP gradients in cognitive functioning
The Meditaging Study: Protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled study to compare the effects of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program against a health promotion program in older migrants …
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05615337 (date of registration: 27 September 2022; date of record verification: 14 November 2022)
Does (re-)entering the labour market at advanced ages protect against cognitive decline? A matching difference-in-differences approach
BACKGROUND: While prolonged labour market participation becomes increasingly important in ageing societies, evidence on the impacts of entering or exiting work beyond age 65 on cognitive functioning is scarce. METHODS: We use data from two large population-representative data sets from South Korea and the USA to investigate and compare the effects of the labour market (re-)entry and exit by matching employment and other confounder trajectories pr…
Region of birth differences in healthcare navigation and optimisation: The interplay of racial discrimination and socioeconomic position
Racial discrimination plays a substantial role in accounting for inequality in healthcare service navigation by different migrant groups. This study highlights the need to consider the complex interplay between different forms of economic, cultural and social capital and racial discrimination when examining migrant, and racial/ethnic differences in healthcare. Healthcare inequalities arising from socioeconomic position and racism need to be addre…
The Role of Country-Level Availability and Generosity of Healthcare Services, and Old-Age Ageism for Missed Healthcare during the Covid-19 Pandemic Control Measures in Europe
Objectives: The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on non-COVID-19-related healthcare need further investigation. Methods: Using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe's COVID-19 module (2020) ( N = 57,025), country-level data from the European Social Survey (2008) and OECD (2020), and logistic regressions, this study examines predictors of older Europeans' forgone, postponed, and denied healthcare during the pandemic. Results: Count…
Childhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Pathways to Memory Performance in Mid to Late Adulthood: What Matters Most
A literate environment in the childhood home may have lasting direct effects on memory function in mid to later life, while parental occupation and overcrowding appear to influence memory primarily through educational and occupational pathways
Inequality of educational opportunity at time of schooling predicts cognitive functioning in later adulthood
Findings suggest that IEO is able to substantially influence cognitive development with long-lasting impacts. Lower-educated women of the cohorts under investigation may have been particularly vulnerable to high-inequality educational contexts
The Moderating Role of Resilience in the Personality-Mental Health Relationship During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: Associations between personality traits and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, loneliness, and stress) have rarely been assessed in a population-representative sample of a high-income country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, as far as we know, the role of health and social behaviors as well as resilience in the personality-mental health relationship has yet to be explored. Methods: A representative sample of 1,828…
Exploring the Frequency of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample during the Covid-19 Outbreak
We highlight the importance of mental health professionals in developing strategies to help younger adults to mitigate the effects of social restriction
Changes in neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage and older Americans’ cognitive functioning
While 18.10% of the total effect occurred through these mechanisms, further pathways may work through contextual- and individual-level variables not assessed in the NSHAP
Partnership and Cognitive Aging in Europe: Mediating Factors and Social Stratification
Objectives Living in a partnership has been shown to benefit later life health in general and decrease the risk of cognitive impairment. Few studies have, however, examined whether different types of partnership transitions also differ with respect to their impact on cognitive trajectories, and whether financial resources, healthy behaviors, cognitive stimulation, and social integration can explain these differences. Methods Data came from six wa…
Who is going to pay the price of Covid-19? Reflections about an unequal Brazil
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused high mortality rates among older people, and in order to avoid a healthcare system crisis, almost all countries worldwide have adopted social isolation measures to prevent the spread of the disease. However, in Brazil, a country demarcated by economic inequalities, in which approximately 25% of the population live below the poverty line, these measures will cost severe economic losses and accentuated starvation. F…
A Bourdieusian approach to class-related inequalities: The Role of Capitals and Capital Structure in the Utilisation of Healthcare Services in Later Life
This paper draws on Bourdieu's theory of economic, social and cultural capital to understand the relative effect of the volume and the composition of these capitals on healthcare service use in later life. Based on data from the fifth wave of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (n = 64,840), we first look at the contribution of each capital in the use of three healthcare services (general practitioner, dentist and hospital). Usi…
Increases in wellbeing in the transition to retirement for the unemployed: Catching up with formerly employed persons
This paper examines the extent to which wellbeing levels change in the transition to retirement depending on transitioning from being employed, unemployed or economically inactive. Whereas transitioning from employment to unemployment has been found to cause a decrease in subjective wellbeing with more time spent in unemployment, it is not clear how transitioning from unemployment to retirement affects wellbeing levels. We use the Survey of Healt…
Inequality in old age cognition across the world
Economic Downturns, Retirement and Long-Term Cognitive Function Among Older Americans
Exposure to downturns around retirement is associated with a long-lasting decline in cognitive function in later life. Policies mitigating the impact of downturns on older workers may help to maintain cognitive function in later life
Social Epidemiology
Socioeconomic hierarchy and health gradient in Europe: The role of income inequality and of social origins
Linear health gradients suggest gains in health per rank of income and of origins even at the very extremes of the distribution. Intergenerational transmission of status gains in importance in countries with higher income inequality. Countries differ in the association of income inequality and income-related health gradient, and low income inequality may mask health problems of vulnerable individuals with low status. Not only income inequality, b…
Health and Cognition in Old Age: From Biomedical and Life Course Factors to Policy and Practice
Do economic recessions during early and mid-adulthood influence cognitive function in older age
BACKGROUND: Fluctuations in the national economy shape labour market opportunities and outcomes, which in turn may influence the accumulation of cognitive reserve. This study examines whether economic recessions experienced in early and mid-adulthood are associated with later-life cognitive function. METHOD: Data came from 12,020 respondents in 11 countries participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Cognitive …
Social Media Use of Older Adults: A Mini-Review
Background: Maintaining social relationships has been defined as a core element of aging well. With a considerable amount of older adults living alone, social media provides the possibility to engage in meaningful social contact, e.g. by joining online social networks and online discussion forums. Objective: The review encompasses current knowledge of prerequisites in social media use of older adults such as functional capacity, information and c…
A Bourdieusian approach to class-related inequalities: The Role of Capitals and Capital Structure in the Utilisation of Healthcare Services in Later Life
This paper draws on Bourdieu's theory of economic, social and cultural capital to understand the relative effect of the volume and the composition of these capitals on healthcare service use in later life. Based on data from the fifth wave of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (n = 64,840), we first look at the contribution of each capital in the use of three healthcare services (general practitioner, dentist and hospital). Usi…
Do economic recessions during early and mid-adulthood influence cognitive function in older age
BACKGROUND: Fluctuations in the national economy shape labour market opportunities and outcomes, which in turn may influence the accumulation of cognitive reserve. This study examines whether economic recessions experienced in early and mid-adulthood are associated with later-life cognitive function. METHOD: Data came from 12,020 respondents in 11 countries participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Cognitive …
Economic Downturns, Retirement and Long-Term Cognitive Function Among Older Americans
Exposure to downturns around retirement is associated with a long-lasting decline in cognitive function in later life. Policies mitigating the impact of downturns on older workers may help to maintain cognitive function in later life
Increases in wellbeing in the transition to retirement for the unemployed: Catching up with formerly employed persons
This paper examines the extent to which wellbeing levels change in the transition to retirement depending on transitioning from being employed, unemployed or economically inactive. Whereas transitioning from employment to unemployment has been found to cause a decrease in subjective wellbeing with more time spent in unemployment, it is not clear how transitioning from unemployment to retirement affects wellbeing levels. We use the Survey of Healt…
Does (re-)entering the labour market at advanced ages protect against cognitive decline? A matching difference-in-differences approach
BACKGROUND: While prolonged labour market participation becomes increasingly important in ageing societies, evidence on the impacts of entering or exiting work beyond age 65 on cognitive functioning is scarce. METHODS: We use data from two large population-representative data sets from South Korea and the USA to investigate and compare the effects of the labour market (re-)entry and exit by matching employment and other confounder trajectories pr…
Childhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Pathways to Memory Performance in Mid to Late Adulthood: What Matters Most
A literate environment in the childhood home may have lasting direct effects on memory function in mid to later life, while parental occupation and overcrowding appear to influence memory primarily through educational and occupational pathways
Changes in neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage and older Americans’ cognitive functioning
While 18.10% of the total effect occurred through these mechanisms, further pathways may work through contextual- and individual-level variables not assessed in the NSHAP
Partnership and Cognitive Aging in Europe: Mediating Factors and Social Stratification
Objectives Living in a partnership has been shown to benefit later life health in general and decrease the risk of cognitive impairment. Few studies have, however, examined whether different types of partnership transitions also differ with respect to their impact on cognitive trajectories, and whether financial resources, healthy behaviors, cognitive stimulation, and social integration can explain these differences. Methods Data came from six wa…
Social Media Use of Older Adults: A Mini-Review
Background: Maintaining social relationships has been defined as a core element of aging well. With a considerable amount of older adults living alone, social media provides the possibility to engage in meaningful social contact, e.g. by joining online social networks and online discussion forums. Objective: The review encompasses current knowledge of prerequisites in social media use of older adults such as functional capacity, information and c…
Health and Cognition in Old Age: From Biomedical and Life Course Factors to Policy and Practice
Do economic recessions during early and mid-adulthood influence cognitive function in older age
BACKGROUND: Fluctuations in the national economy shape labour market opportunities and outcomes, which in turn may influence the accumulation of cognitive reserve. This study examines whether economic recessions experienced in early and mid-adulthood are associated with later-life cognitive function. METHOD: Data came from 12,020 respondents in 11 countries participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Cognitive …
Social Epidemiology
Socioeconomic hierarchy and health gradient in Europe: The role of income inequality and of social origins
Linear health gradients suggest gains in health per rank of income and of origins even at the very extremes of the distribution. Intergenerational transmission of status gains in importance in countries with higher income inequality. Countries differ in the association of income inequality and income-related health gradient, and low income inequality may mask health problems of vulnerable individuals with low status. Not only income inequality, b…
Economic Downturns, Retirement and Long-Term Cognitive Function Among Older Americans
Exposure to downturns around retirement is associated with a long-lasting decline in cognitive function in later life. Policies mitigating the impact of downturns on older workers may help to maintain cognitive function in later life
Inequality in old age cognition across the world
Increases in wellbeing in the transition to retirement for the unemployed: Catching up with formerly employed persons
This paper examines the extent to which wellbeing levels change in the transition to retirement depending on transitioning from being employed, unemployed or economically inactive. Whereas transitioning from employment to unemployment has been found to cause a decrease in subjective wellbeing with more time spent in unemployment, it is not clear how transitioning from unemployment to retirement affects wellbeing levels. We use the Survey of Healt…
Who is going to pay the price of Covid-19? Reflections about an unequal Brazil
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused high mortality rates among older people, and in order to avoid a healthcare system crisis, almost all countries worldwide have adopted social isolation measures to prevent the spread of the disease. However, in Brazil, a country demarcated by economic inequalities, in which approximately 25% of the population live below the poverty line, these measures will cost severe economic losses and accentuated starvation. F…
A Bourdieusian approach to class-related inequalities: The Role of Capitals and Capital Structure in the Utilisation of Healthcare Services in Later Life
This paper draws on Bourdieu's theory of economic, social and cultural capital to understand the relative effect of the volume and the composition of these capitals on healthcare service use in later life. Based on data from the fifth wave of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (n = 64,840), we first look at the contribution of each capital in the use of three healthcare services (general practitioner, dentist and hospital). Usi…
Inequality of educational opportunity at time of schooling predicts cognitive functioning in later adulthood
Findings suggest that IEO is able to substantially influence cognitive development with long-lasting impacts. Lower-educated women of the cohorts under investigation may have been particularly vulnerable to high-inequality educational contexts
The Moderating Role of Resilience in the Personality-Mental Health Relationship During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: Associations between personality traits and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, loneliness, and stress) have rarely been assessed in a population-representative sample of a high-income country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, as far as we know, the role of health and social behaviors as well as resilience in the personality-mental health relationship has yet to be explored. Methods: A representative sample of 1,828…
Exploring the Frequency of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample during the Covid-19 Outbreak
We highlight the importance of mental health professionals in developing strategies to help younger adults to mitigate the effects of social restriction
Changes in neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage and older Americans’ cognitive functioning
While 18.10% of the total effect occurred through these mechanisms, further pathways may work through contextual- and individual-level variables not assessed in the NSHAP
Partnership and Cognitive Aging in Europe: Mediating Factors and Social Stratification
Objectives Living in a partnership has been shown to benefit later life health in general and decrease the risk of cognitive impairment. Few studies have, however, examined whether different types of partnership transitions also differ with respect to their impact on cognitive trajectories, and whether financial resources, healthy behaviors, cognitive stimulation, and social integration can explain these differences. Methods Data came from six wa…
Region of birth differences in healthcare navigation and optimisation: The interplay of racial discrimination and socioeconomic position
Racial discrimination plays a substantial role in accounting for inequality in healthcare service navigation by different migrant groups. This study highlights the need to consider the complex interplay between different forms of economic, cultural and social capital and racial discrimination when examining migrant, and racial/ethnic differences in healthcare. Healthcare inequalities arising from socioeconomic position and racism need to be addre…
The Role of Country-Level Availability and Generosity of Healthcare Services, and Old-Age Ageism for Missed Healthcare during the Covid-19 Pandemic Control Measures in Europe
Objectives: The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on non-COVID-19-related healthcare need further investigation. Methods: Using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe's COVID-19 module (2020) ( N = 57,025), country-level data from the European Social Survey (2008) and OECD (2020), and logistic regressions, this study examines predictors of older Europeans' forgone, postponed, and denied healthcare during the pandemic. Results: Count…
Childhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Pathways to Memory Performance in Mid to Late Adulthood: What Matters Most
A literate environment in the childhood home may have lasting direct effects on memory function in mid to later life, while parental occupation and overcrowding appear to influence memory primarily through educational and occupational pathways
The Meditaging Study: Protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled study to compare the effects of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program against a health promotion program in older migrants …
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05615337 (date of registration: 27 September 2022; date of record verification: 14 November 2022)
Does (re-)entering the labour market at advanced ages protect against cognitive decline? A matching difference-in-differences approach
BACKGROUND: While prolonged labour market participation becomes increasingly important in ageing societies, evidence on the impacts of entering or exiting work beyond age 65 on cognitive functioning is scarce. METHODS: We use data from two large population-representative data sets from South Korea and the USA to investigate and compare the effects of the labour market (re-)entry and exit by matching employment and other confounder trajectories pr…
Lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic: Identifying hesitant groups and exploring reasons for vaccination hesitancy, from adolescence to late adulthood
Introduction: The COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease-2019) pandemic highlighted the importance of assessing the rationales behind vaccine hesitancy for the containment of pandemics. In this nationwide study, representative of the Luxembourgish population, we identified hesitant groups from adolescence to late adulthood and explored motivations both for and against vaccination. Methods: We combined data collected via online surveys for the CON-VINCE (C…
Cognitive performance trends among European older adults: Exploring variations across cohorts, gender, and educational levels (2007–2017)
Not applicable
The associations of socioeconomic position with structural brain damage and connectivity and cognitive functioning: The Maastricht Study
We observed substantial SEP differences in later-life cognitive functioning. Associations of structural brain damage and connectivity with cognitive functioning were relatively small, and only marginally explained the SEP gradients in cognitive functioning
The unintended effects of a large minimum wage increase on health: Evidence from South Korea
Contribution of accumulative affective problems across the life course towards the association of childhood socioeconomic position with later-life cognitive ageing
Socioeconomic inequalities may act on affective and cognitive health from early life through later life. This study tested to what extent the association of childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) with later-life cognitive ageing is explained by life course accumulative affective problems. We used data from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development ( n = 1,593; 52.6% women). Cognitive ageing was assessed through a battery of neuropsycholog…
Medicine (21 works) · Psychology (14 works) · Cognition (12 works) · Gerontology (12 works) · Economics (11 works) · Demography (10 works) · Population (10 works) · Psychiatry (10 works) · Demography (9 works) · Health disparities and outcomes (9 works)