The power of weak ties in preserving cognitive function: a longitudinal study of older Chinese adults

Abstract

Objectives: Characterized by infrequent contact, low emotional intensity, and limited intimacy, weak ties are found to be associated with better subjective well-being and other health outcomes. Drawing on the theory of weak ties and the convoy model of social relations, this paper aims to examine the association between weak ties and cognitive function among older adults in China.

Methods: We used multilevel growth modeling to analyze panel data for adults aged 60 years and over (N = 2,650) selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011–2015). Weak ties were measured based on the frequency of social activity participation and the number of social activities.

Results: Weekly or irregular social activity participation in at least one social activity was significantly associated with better mental status and memory. The number of participated social activities was also significantly and positively associated with mental status and memory. After controlling for age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, geographic residence, household expenditures, and health conditions (i.e., depressive symptoms and self-reported health), we found that participation in a greater number of social activities protected memory from declining by 4% for every 2 years (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that social interactions with peripheral members of a diverse social network may help prevent cognitive decline for older Chinese adults. Greater attention on weak ties might yield practical implications for non-pharmacological dementia prevention and health promotion for the general older population.

Keywords:

• Cognitive function
• social ties
• longitudinal study
• multi-level growth modeling

Acknowledgments

Author contributions: X. Pan and K. H. Chee planned the study. X. Pan conducted literature review, performed all statistical analyses, led data interpretation, wrote and revised the article; K. H. Chee helped to conceptualize the study, conducted literature review, and provided critical revisions to the article.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.