Social Integration Through Activity Engagement: Long-term Effects on Cognition
Year: 2018
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Participation in various activities beyond everyday obligations is central to social gerontological theories of successful aging. The broader social integration derived from engagement in different activities can be particularly influential for health and wellbeing. The present study identified typologies of engagement in a broad range of activities and investigated implications for memory over time. Data were from the 2010–2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N=7,731). Using latent class analysis, three typologies of activity engagement were identified that varied in the number and diversity of activities endorsed: Restricted, Average, and Diverse. Growth curve analysis revealed that, over time, respondents in the Diverse typology had better memory than those in the Restricted typology. However, the rate of change in memory did not vary across the three typologies. Findings suggest that diverse activity engagement may help to promote successful cognitive aging through social integration and active engagement with life.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Authors: J A Manalel, E Morris, L H Ryan, J Smith
Institution: University of Michigan
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2899796673