Intergenerational financial exchange and cognitive impairment among older adults in China.

This study investigated the relationship between intergenerational financial exchange patterns and cognitive impairment among older Chinese adults. The study also explored potential pathways linking financial exchanges to cognitive health. METHOD: Data were taken from the 2005 and 2008 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Three patterns of financial exchange (i.e., low receiving, high receiving, and reciprocity) based on a latent profile analysis were examined as predictors. Logistic regression models were employed to analyze variation in the Chinese version of the mini-mental status exam, taking into consideration the financial exchange patterns and a set of covariates. RESULTS: Older adults with a reciprocity exchange pattern with their adult children had a lower likelihood of being cognitively impaired, supporting our hypotheses drawn from social exchange theory. Nutrition was found to mediate the relationship between financial exchange and cognition. DISCUSSION: The inclusion of adequate nutrition intake as a means of maintaining cognitive well-being may help communities and families, as well as older Chinese adults, promote well-being and live a higher quality of life. PMID: 30632788 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Aging and Mental Health - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Aging Ment Health Source Type: research