Adverse childhood circumstances and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults: Lower level or faster decline?. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Zhuoer; Chen, Xi
• Is Part Of: SSM - population health. Volume 14(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Childhood circumstances -- Life course factors -- Cognitive aging -- Education; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100767
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8273

Abstract

Abstract: We examine the long-term relationship between childhood circumstances and cognitive aging. In particular, we differentiate the level of cognitive deficit from the rate of cognitive decline. Applying a linear mixed-effect model to three waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys (CHARLS 2011, 2013, 2015) and matching cognitive outcomes to CHARLS Life History Survey (2014), we find that key domains of childhood circumstances, including family socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood cohesion, friendship, and health conditions, are significantly associated with both the level of cognitive deficit and the rate of decline. In contrast, childhood neighborhood safety only affects the level of cognitive deficit. Childhood relationship with mother only affects the rate of cognitive decline. The effects of adverse childhood circumstances are generally larger on level of cognitive deficit than on rate of cognitive decline. Moreover, education plays a more important role in mediating the relationships compared to other later-life factors. These findings suggest that exposure to disadvantaged childhood circumstances can exacerbate cognitive deficit as well as cognitive decline over time, which may be partially ameliorated by educational attainment. Highlights: Exposure to disadvantaged childhood circumstances may exacerbate the process of cognitive aging. Neighborhood safety affects the level of cognitive deficit, relationship with mother affects the rate of cognitive decline. Childhood SES, neighborhood cohesion, friendship, and health conditions can affect both components of cognitive aging. Effects of adverse childhood circumstances are mostly larger on level than those on rate. Education plays a critical role in mediating the relationship between adverse childhood circumstances and cognitive aging.