Racial and Ethnic Differences in Community Belonging and its Impact on Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Samuel R Nemeth, Patricia A Thomas, Cassidy M Stoddart and Kenneth F Ferraro

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2025, vol. 80, issue 6, 580-586

Abstract: ObjectivesThis study adds to the literature on the relationship between social relationships and cognitive function by using social integration theory to examine whether a sense of community belonging at different ages is related to cognitive function in later life. We also examine whether the relationship between community belonging, and cognitive function is distinct among White, Black, and Hispanic older adults.MethodsUsing data from the Health and Retirement Study including the 2017 Life History Mail Survey (N = 3,302), we use parallel measures of community belonging across 3 periods in the life course. We estimated relationships using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and lagged dependent variable models.ResultsRespondents who experienced greater community belonging at age 10 and during later life (i.e., age in 2016) had higher levels of cognitive function in 2018 than those who reported feeling less belonging with their community at those ages (b = 0.193, p

Keywords: Life course; Neighborhoods; Social Integration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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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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