ABSTRACT
Aging is an inevitable process that can be associated with cognitive impairment. Evidence about the simultaneous evaluation of psychosocial variables that could be associated with cognitive function is crucial. We aimed to determine the association between psychosocial characteristics and cognition in adults over 50 years in Mexico. The fifth round of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) (2018) provides the basis for this paper. The study is part of a longitudinal analysis, for which wave pasting 2012, 2015, and 2018 were performed. The final sample comprised 6,709 individuals. Ten psychosocial variables were measured through scales or specific questions. Cognition was assessed with the Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination (CCCE). Confounders included sociodemographics, multimorbidity, and functionality. The analysis was performed by adjusting the regression model. Of the total sample, 2,761 (41.1%) were men; 3,948 (58.8%) were women. The mean age was 68.2 years (SD = 8.1). Cognition is significantly affected in people with higher age (ß=-1.30, Cl 95% -1.54, -.1.06 p= 0.000), less schooling (ß=.559, CI 95% .498, .621 p<0.001), depressive symptoms (ß=-.066, CI 95% -.115, -.018 p=0.007), those who do not perform any volunteer service (ß=-.057, CI 95% -.102, -.102 p=0.013), or do not participate in decision making (ß=-.242, CI 95% -.295, -.189 p<0.001), low internal locus of control (ß=-.012., CI 95% -.023, -.001 p=0.023), and poor economic perception (ß=-.070., CI 95% -.115, -.024 p=0.002). When analyzing the cognitive function of older people, it is vital to consider the possible related psychosocial variables.
El envejecimiento es un proceso inevitable que puede asociarse al deterioro cognitivo. La evidencia sobre la evaluación simultánea de variables psicosociales que pudieran estar asociadas con la función cognitiva es crucial. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la asociación entre las características psicosociales y la cognición en adultos mayores de 50 años en México. La quinta ronda del Estudio Mexicano de Salud y Envejecimiento (ENASEM) (2018) proporciona la base para este trabajo. El estudio forma parte de un análisis longitudinal, para el que se recabaron datos en 2012, 2015 y 2018. La muestra final estuvo compuesta por 6,709 individuos. Se midieron diez variables psicosociales a través de escalas o preguntas específicas. La cognición se evaluó con el Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination (CCCE). Entre los factores de confusión se incluyeron los sociodemográficos, la multimorbilidad y la funcionalidad. El análisis se realizó ajustando un modelo de regresión. De la muestra total, 2.761 (41,1%) eran hombres; 3.948 (58,8%) eran mujeres. La edad media era de 68,2 años (DE = 8,1). La cognición se ve significativamente afectada en las personas con mayor edad (ß=-1,30, Cl 95% -1,54, -.1.06 p<0.001), menor escolaridad (ß=-.559, IC 95% .498, .621 p<0.001), síntomas depresivos (ß=-.066, IC 95% -.115, -.018 p=0.007), quienes no realizan ningún servicio voluntario (ß=-.057, IC 95% -.102, -.102 p=0. 013), o no participan en la toma de decisiones (ß=-.242, CI 95% -.295, -.189 p<0.001), presentan bajo locus de control interno (ß=-.012., CI 95% -.023, -.001 p=0.023), y pobre percepción económica (ß=-.070., CI 95% -.115, -.024 p=0.002). Al analizar la función cognitiva de las personas mayores, es vital considerar las posibles variables psicosociales relacionadas.
O envelhecimento é um processo inevitável que pode estar associado a défices cognitivos. A evidência sobre a avaliação simultânea de variáveis psicossociais que podem estar associadas à função cognitiva é crucial. O nosso objetivo foi determinar a associação entre as características psicossociais e a cognição em adultos com mais de 50 anos no México. A quinta rodada do Estudo Mexicano de Saúde e Envelhecimento (MHAS) (2018) fornece a base para este artigo. O estudo faz parte de uma análise longitudinal, para a qual foram realizadas colagens de ondas 2012, 2015 e 2018. A amostra final foi composta por 6.709 indivíduos. Dez variáveis psicossociais foram medidas por meio de escalas ou perguntas específicas. A cognição foi avaliada com o Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination (CCCE). Os factores de confusão incluíram dados sociodemográficos, multimorbilidade e funcionalidade. A análise foi efectuada através do ajuste do modelo de regressão. Da amostra total, 2.761 (41,1%) eram homens; 3.948 (58,8%) eram mulheres. A idade média foi de 68,2 anos (DP = 8,1). A cognição é significativamente afetada nas pessoas com mais idade (ß=-1,30, Cl 95% -1,54, -.1.06 p= 0.000), menor escolaridade (ß=.559, IC 95% .498, .621 p<0.001), sintomas depressivos (ß=-.066, IC 95% -.115, -.018 p=0.007), aqueles que não realizam nenhum serviço voluntário (ß=-.057, IC 95% -.102, -.102 p=0. 013), ou não participam na tomada de decisões (ß=-.242, IC 95% -.295, -.189 p<0.001), baixo locus de controlo interno (ß=-.012., IC 95% -.023, -.001 p=0.023), e fraca perceção económica (ß=-.070., IC 95% -.115, -.024 p=0.002). Ao analisar a função cognitiva dos idosos, é vital considerar as possíveis variáveis psicossociais relacionadas.
ABSTRACT
We aimed to determine the association between the duration of widowhood and cognition decline. We compared the decline observed in widowed people compared with married, single, or separated persons using the scores obtained in the cognitive assessment of memory, learning, and visual exploration by adults and older adults in Mexico. The Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) provides the base for this paper. This study is an analysis of the fourth data wave (2015), except for the independent variable: marital status. Marital status was built longitudinally with information from the four surveys (2001, 2003, 2012, and 2015). The sample comprised 6898 adults aged 50 and over. Cognition was assessed with an adapted Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination (CCCE). Confounders include sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, schooling, self-perception of economic status, and whether the individual worked or not), multimorbidity, functionality, support networks, and psychological characteristics. Of the total sample, 4094 (59.3%) were women. The mean age was 70.86 years (SD = 7.4). The baseline of the study is 2001. In 2001, 8.7% (n = 600) were widows or widowers. People widowed by 2001 scored -0.158 points in cognition while divorced participants scored - 0.095 points.
