Social network structure and composition predicting cognitive impairment: racial/ethnic differences among older adults

OBJECTIVES: Social relationships are a critical factor in healthy aging, and the structure and composition of older adults' social networks relate to cognitive health. However, whether characteristics of personal networks relate to increased cognitive impairment or dementia over time differently for different racial and ethnic groups remains unclear. METHODS: We use data from two survey waves of the nationally representative National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP, N = 1,979) to examine whether ego-network density, relational diversity, and proportion kin predict subsequent cognitive impairment and dementia, net of baseline cognition, and to explore differences in these associations across Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic older adults. RESULTS: Although network measures are largely unrelated to cognitive impairment over time after controlling for baseline cognition, network size, and covariates, patterns suggest differences by race-ethnicity. Compared to White older adults, network density predicts lower odds of subsequent impairment for Hispanic older adults, and relational diversity predicts lower odds of subsequent impairment for Black and Hispanic older adults. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that tight-knit networks and multiple relationship types may be more supportive for cognitive health for Hispanic and Black older adults. This study contributes to research on social networks, cognitive health, and healthy aging for diverse older populations.