Social Support and Cognitive Impairment

Results from a Portuguese 4-Year Prospective Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15467780
AuthorsRicardo Pais (0000-0002-1931-2659, Universidade do Porto, corresponding author), Luís Ruano (0000-0002-0903-494X, Universidade do Porto), Carla Moreira (0000-0003-1039-6320), Carla Maria Gonçalves de Macedo Moreira (0000-0002-0570-0650, Universidade do Porto), Sílvia Fraga (0000-0002-5268-7751, Universidade do Porto), Ofélia P Carvalho (0000-0002-7450-9980, Universidade do Porto), Henrique Barros (0000-0003-4699-6571, Universidade do Porto)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue16
Pages8841-8841
Publication date2021-08-22
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18168841
PMID34444589
OpenAlexW3196215549
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited30

(1) Background: In an ageing society, social relationships may benefit cognitive performance with an impact on the health of older people. This study aims to estimate the effect of different social support sources on the risk of cognitive impairment in a sample of older Portuguese people. (2) Methods: From the Portuguese EpiPorto cohort study, we followed a sample of participants with 60 to 85 years ( N = 656) between 2009 and 2015 (4.63 mean years of follow-up). The participants' perception of social support from family, friends and significant others was evaluated. Cox's regression models were used to investigate the association between this and sociodemographic variables. (3) Results: It was found that social support from friends reduces the risk of cognitive impairment. Men, participants aged 60 to 64 and those not married have a lower risk of cognitive impairment after adjusting for other variables. Participants between 80 and 85 years old ( p = 0.021), those with less than four years of education ( p p = 0.007) have perception of less social support from friends. (4) Conclusions: A social support network from friends reduces the risk of cognitive impairment for older people

Cognition · Cognitive impairment · Cohort · Perception · Portuguese · Psychiatry · Social support · Clinical Psychology · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Technology Use by Older Adults · Gerontology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access