TY - JOUR
T1 - Spousal loss and change in cognitive functioning
T2 - An examination of temporal patterns and gender differences
AU - Wörn, Jonathan
AU - Comijs, Hannie
AU - Aartsen, Marja
PY - 2020/1/1
Y1 - 2020/1/1
N2 - Objectives: The study investigates whether the disadvantaged position of men in the adverse consequences of widowhood for health and mortality also exists for changes in cognitive health. Methods: We used data of up to 1,269 men and women aged 65 years and older who participated in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam in 3-yearly assessments between 1992 and 2012 (5,123 person-observations). All were married and without cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 24) at baseline and up to 419 lost their spouse. In fixed effects regression models, the effect of spousal loss on change in four domains of cognitive functioning was estimated independently of age-related cognitive change. Results: For women, a robust temporary decrease was found in the second year after spousal loss in the reasoning domain, but not in global cognitive functioning, processing speed, or memory. No robust effects were found for men. Discussion: Considering that only one cognitive domain was affected and effects were temporary, cognitive functioning seems rather robust to the experience of spousal loss. Despite men having often been reported to be in a disadvantaged position in other health domains, our analyses indicate no such pattern for cognitive functioning.
AB - Objectives: The study investigates whether the disadvantaged position of men in the adverse consequences of widowhood for health and mortality also exists for changes in cognitive health. Methods: We used data of up to 1,269 men and women aged 65 years and older who participated in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam in 3-yearly assessments between 1992 and 2012 (5,123 person-observations). All were married and without cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 24) at baseline and up to 419 lost their spouse. In fixed effects regression models, the effect of spousal loss on change in four domains of cognitive functioning was estimated independently of age-related cognitive change. Results: For women, a robust temporary decrease was found in the second year after spousal loss in the reasoning domain, but not in global cognitive functioning, processing speed, or memory. No robust effects were found for men. Discussion: Considering that only one cognitive domain was affected and effects were temporary, cognitive functioning seems rather robust to the experience of spousal loss. Despite men having often been reported to be in a disadvantaged position in other health domains, our analyses indicate no such pattern for cognitive functioning.
KW - Ageing
KW - Bereavement
KW - Cognitive decline
KW - Widowhood
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073196809&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/geronb/gby104
DO - 10.1093/geronb/gby104
M3 - Article
C2 - 30219919
VL - 75
SP - 195
EP - 206
JO - Journals of Gerontology. Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
JF - Journals of Gerontology. Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
SN - 1079-5014
IS - 1
ER -