Social Cognitive Abilities Predict Unique Aspects of Older Adults’ Personal Social Networks

Anne C Krendl, Daniel P Kennedy, Kurt Hugenberg and Brea L Perry

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2022, vol. 77, issue 1, 18-28

Abstract: ObjectivesThe current study explores whether personal social network characteristics are associated with older adults’ memory and/or social cognitive function (e.g., ability to infer other’s mental states—theory of mind).Method120 older adults completed a social network interview, a memory measure, and 2 core measures of social cognitive functions: emotion recognition and theory of mind.ResultsVariation in memory and social cognitive abilities predicted distinct aspects of older adults’ social networks. Having better memory predicted having larger, less-dense social networks, but better theory of mind was associated with having at least one acquaintance in the network, and having more heterogeneous social relationships within the network.DiscussionTogether our findings suggest that disparate social cognitive abilities may serve unique functions, facilitating maintenance of beneficial social connections.

Keywords: Older adults; Social cognitive function; Social networks; Theory of mind (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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The Journals of Gerontology: Series B is currently edited by Psychological Sciences - S. Duke Han, PhD and Social Sciences - Jessica A Kelley, PhD, FGSA

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