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Loneliness, Depressive Symptoms, and Cognitive Functioning Among U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Authors :
Dexia Kong MSW, MBE, PhD
Joan Davitt PhD, MSS, MLSP
XinQi Dong MD, MPH
Source :
Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Vol 4 (2018)
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
SAGE Publishing, 2018.

Abstract

Objective: Loneliness has been associated with cognitive functioning in the general older adult population. Previous studies further indicate that loneliness has a strong association with depressive symptoms and the two constructs can reinforce each other to diminish well-being. However, such relationships have not been examined in U.S. Chinese older adults. This study attempts to bridge this knowledge gap. Method: Data were drawn from a population-based study of 3,159 U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area. Stepwise multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between loneliness, depressive symptoms, and global cognitive functioning. Results: Loneliness was associated with poor global cognitive functioning in U.S. Chinese older adults, though the relationship became nonsignificant after adjustment for depressive symptoms. The interaction term between loneliness and cognitive functioning was statistically significant ( p < .01). The findings further highlight the importance of age, education, number of children, number of people in household, and length of residence in the U.S. in cognitive functioning among U.S. Chinese older adults. Discussion: The study findings indicate that loneliness and depressive symptoms act together to influence cognitive functioning in U.S. Chinese older adults. Research and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Subjects

Subjects :
Geriatrics
RC952-954.6

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23337214
Volume :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.3250d4ee58c84b0caa1b3efb0b565a59
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721418778201