Does community social capital buffer the relationship between educational disadvantage and cognitive impairment? A multilevel analysis in Japan

摘要

BACKGROUND:This study explored the relationship between community social capital and cognitive impairment, with a focus on the buffering role of community social capital in the association between educational disadvantage and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Japan.METHODS:We used data from two population-based, cross-sectional surveys targeting people aged ≥65?years in a suburban city of the Tokyo metropolitan area (n?=?897; 49.8% men; average age?=?74.4?years). Social capital included social support (emotional and instrumental support) and the strength of social networks (neighborly ties). To create district-level social capital indicators, we aggregated individual responses on social capital within each district. The Mini-Mental State Examination, Japanese version was used for the assessment of cognitive function.RESULTS:Using multilevel logistic regression analysis, we found that lower amounts of district-level emotional and instrumental support were associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive impairment among men. For women, district-level emotional support was associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive impairment. Additionally, a strong district-level social network buffered the relationship between low education and cognitive impairment in both sexes.CONCLUSIONS:Community social capital appears to have a protective role in determining cognitive function in old age. Our findings may facilitate the development of new community-based strategies to combat dementia.