Abstract
BackgroundDue to the inaccuracy of the traditional geographical distance-based definition of left-behind status, data on the negative effect of left-behind status on cognitive function among older adults are controversial.AimsThis study examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of left-behind status with cognitive function in older Chinese adults. The left-behind status definition was based on the frequency of face-to-face parent–child meetings.MethodsData from a nationally representative sample of 8 682 older adults (60+ years) in 2015 (5 658 left behind and 3 024 non-left behind), of which 6 933 completed the follow-up in 2018, were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Left-behind older adults were broadly defined as those aged 60+ years who had living adult children and saw their children less than once per month. The cognitive function was assessed with a composite cognitive test with higher total scores indicating better cognitive function.ResultsLeft-behind older adults had significantly lower cognitive test scores than non-left-behind older adults in both 2015 (11.1 (6.0) vs 13.2 (5.9), t=15.863, p<0.001) and 2018 (10.0 (6.6) vs 12.4 (6.7), t=14.177, p<0.001). After adjusting for demographic factors, lifestyle factors, chronic medical conditions and the baseline cognitive test score (in the longitudinal analysis only), on average, the cognitive test score of left-behind older adults was 0.628 lower than their non-left-behind counterparts in 2015 (t=5.689, p<0.001). This difference in cognitive test scores attenuated to 0.322 but remained significant in 2018 (t=2.733, p=0.006).ConclusionsLeft-behind older Chinese adults have a higher risk of poor cognitive function and cognitive decline than their non-left-behind counterparts. Specific efforts targeting left-behind older adults, such as encouraging adult children to visit their parents more regularly, are warranted to maintain or delay the progression of cognitive decline.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Wuhan Health and Family Planning Commission
2015 Irma and Paul Milstein Program for Senior Health Awards from the Milstein Medical Asian American Partnership Foundation
the Young Top Talent Program in Public Health from Health Commission of Hubei Province
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health,Neurology (clinical),Neurology
Cited by
1 articles.
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