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Economic Downturns, Retirement and Long-Term Cognitive Function Among Older Americans.
- Source :
-
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences . May2018, Vol. 73 Issue 4, p744-754. 11p. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Objective: Workers approaching retirement may be particularly vulnerable to economic downturns. This study assesses whether exposure to economic downturns around retirement age leads to poorer cognitive function in later life. Method: Longitudinal data for 13,577 individuals in the Health and Retirement Study were linked to unemployment rates in state of residence. Random- and fixed-effect models were used to examine whether downturns at 55-64 years of age were associated with cognitive functioning levels and decline at ≥65 years, measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Results: Longer exposure to downturns at 55-64 years of age was associated with lower levels of cognitive function at ≥65 years. Compared to individuals experiencing only up to 1 year in a downturn at 55-64 years of age, individuals experiencing two downturns at these ages had 0.09 point (95% Confidence Interval [CI, -0.17, -0.02]) lower cognitive functioning scores at ≥65 years (3 years: b = -0.17, 95%CI [-0.29, -0.06]; 4 years: b = -0.14, 95%CI [-0.25, -0.02]; ≥5 years: b = -0.22, 95%CI [-0.38, -0.06]). Downturns at 55-64 years of age were not associated with rates of cognitive decline. Discussion: Exposure to downturns around retirement is associated with a long-lasting decline in cognitive function in later life. Policies mitigating the impact of downturns on older workers may help to maintain cognitive function in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10795014
- Volume :
- 73
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 129125791
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbx035