Neighborhood and Psychosocial Predictors of Cognitive Function Among Latinos in the United States

TL;DR

This study explores how neighborhood and psychosocial factors affect cognitive function in older Latino adults in the U.S.

Contribution

The study identifies specific neighborhood and psychosocial factors influencing baseline cognitive function among middle-aged and older Latinos.

Findings

Neighborhood social cohesion is positively linked to baseline cognitive function.

Perceived neighborhood disorder and loneliness are negatively linked to baseline cognitive function.

None of the factors significantly affect cognitive decline over time.

Abstract

Prior research highlights the independent roles of neighborhood and psychosocial risk and protective factors for accelerated cognitive decline. However, the combined role of risk and protective neighborhood and psychosocial factors for cognitive aging among middle-aged and older Latinos in the U.S. remains unclear. Utilizing data from Latinos aged 50 and older (n = 2,321) in the Health and Retirement Study (2006 - 2016), this study aimed to examine the role of neighborhood (perceived physical disorder, neighborhood social cohesion) and psychosocial (loneliness) factors in shaping baseline cognitive function and change in cognitive function. Linear mixed models were used to estimate baseline and rate of change in cognitive function, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Neighborhood social cohesion was positively associated with baseline cognitive function (p < 0.001), while perceived neighborhood social disorder and loneliness were both negatively associated with baseline cognitive function (p < 0.001). However, none of these factors were significantly associated with cognitive trajectories over time. These findings highlight the role of psychosocial and neighborhood risk and protective factors in baseline cognitive function among Latino adults. To promote healthy aging, health promotion efforts should consider implementing culturally relevant strategies to strengthen neighborhood social cohesion and reduce loneliness.