Rafnsson, Snorri ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7985-912X, Maharani, A and Tampubolon, G (2021) 35 social contact mode and 15-year episodic memory trajectories in older adults with and without hearing loss: the Elsa study. Age and Ageing, 50 (Supple). i7-i11. ISSN 0002-0729

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Abstract

Introduction
Frequent social contact benefits cognition in later life although evidence is lacking on the potential importance of the modes chosen by older adults for interacting with others in their social network.

Method
11,513 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) provided baseline information on hearing status and social contact mode and frequency of use. Multilevel growth curve models compared episodic memory (immediate and delayed recall) at baseline and long-term in participants who interacted frequently (offline only or offline and online combined), compared to infrequently, with others in their social network.

Results
Frequent offline (β = 0.29; p < 0.05) and combined offline and online (β = 0.76; p < 0.001) social interactions predicted better episodic memory after adjustment for multiple confounding factors. We observed positive long-term influences of combined offline and online interactions on memory in participants without hearing loss (β = 0.48, p = 0.001) but not of strictly offline interactions (β = 0.00, p = 0.970). In those with impaired hearing, long-term memory was positively influenced by both modes of engagement (offline only: β = 0.93, p < 0.001; combined online and offline: β = 1.47, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.

Conclusion
Supplementing conventional social interactions with online communication modes may help older adults, especially those living with hearing loss, sustain, and benefit cognitively from, personal relationships.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1093/ageing/afab029.14
Additional Information:	This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Age and Ageing following peer review. The version of record [S Rafnsson, A Maharani, G Tampubolon, 35 Social Contact Mode and 15-Year Episodic Memory Trajectories in Older Adults with and Without Hearing Loss: the Elsa Study, Age and Ageing, Volume 50, Issue Supplement_1, March 2021, Pages i7–i11, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afab029.14 ] is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article-abstract/50/Supplement_1/i7/6170726?redirectedFrom=fulltext doi 10.1093/ageing/afab029.14.
Keywords:	aging, cognition, mental recall, memory, social support, memory, long-term, episodic memory, hearing loss, older adult, sensitivity analysis, social networks, social interaction
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Clinical medicine > Clinical care
Related URLs:	Publisher
Depositing User:	Snorri Rafnsson
Date Deposited:	17 Jun 2021 10:02
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 11:31
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/8001

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