Examining sociocultural factors in widowhood and cognitive function among older Chinese immigrants: findings from the PINE study

Abstract

Objectives: Although there is growing evidence on widowhood and cognitive function, existing studies have shown mixed results. Little is known about protective factors that may contribute to resilience, thereby ameliorate the adverse effect of widowhood on cognition among older Asian immigrants. This study explored potential moderators (i.e. social support, acculturation, leisure activities) in the association between widowhood and cognitive function among older Chinese immigrants.

Method: The study sample included 2,515 adults aged 60 or older who completed two waves (2011–2013 and 2013–2015) of the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago. Cognitive function was indexed by global cognitive function and episodic memory. Linear regression analyses were conducted with interaction terms.

Results: Our results show that social support moderated the relationship between widowhood and global cognitive function, and acculturation moderated the relationship between widowhood and episodic memory. The adverse effect of widowhood on cognitive function was more pronounced at lower levels of social support and acculturation.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate buffering roles of social support and acculturation in cognitive health among older Chinese immigrants who experience widowhood. Providing supportive programs and interventions to increase social support and acculturation is suggested to promote cognitive function in this population.

Keywords:

• Acculturation
• social support
• cognitive function
• episodic memory
• older Chinese immigrants

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Yura Lee received support from the Rutgers University Asian Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research Center under NIH/NIA Grant P30-AG0059304. The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.