Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2021 Jul 2. doi: 10.1002/gps.5595. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine whether loneliness mediates these associations among middle-aged and older adults.
METHODS: Data from wave 10 (2010-2012) to wave 13 (2016-2017) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were analyzed. Perceived neighborhood characteristics were self-reported. Loneliness was measured by Revised University of California Los Angeles (R-UCLA) Loneliness Scale. Cognition was evaluated by the modified version of Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS). Baron and Kenny’s causal steps and multiple linear regression models based on Karlson/Holm/Breen (KHB) method were used to examine the mediating effect.
RESULTS: At baseline, 15,142 participants had no cognitive impairment, and 11,413 individuals were finally included in our analysis after 6-year follow-up. Multiple linear regression models suggested that lower perceived neighborhood physical disorder (β=0.073, P=0.033) and greater perceived neighborhood safety (β=0.350, P=0.009) were associated with better cognition. KHB test identified the significant mediating effect of loneliness on the relationships between perceived neighborhood physical disorder (β=0.011, P=0.016) and perceived neighborhood safety (β=0.023, P=0.026) and cognition.
CONCLUSIONS: Perceived neighborhood characteristics are associated with cognition among middle-aged and older American adults. Loneliness mediated associations between perceived neighborhood physical disorder and perceived neighborhood safety and cognition. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:34214209 | DOI:10.1002/gps.5595
