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The association of marital status with cognitive function and the role of gender in Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Background

Evidence of the association between marital status and cognitive function in Chinese older adults is limited.

Aims

To examine the relationship between marital status and cognitive function and to explore the role of gender amongst older adults from three Chinese communities.

Methods

A total of 1376 participants aged 60 years or over were included in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Chinese version of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Marital status and other variables were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations between marital statuses and cognitive function amongst the target population. The moderating role of gender in these potential associations has also been explored.

Results

In univariate linear regression models, compared to being married, both being widowed (β [95% CI]: −1.46[−2.78 to − 0.13]) and being single (β [95% CI]: − 4.88[−6.43 to − 3.38]) were associated with lower MMSE scores. After adjustment for confounding factors, the significant association of being widowed with MMSE scores disappeared (β [95% CI: − 0.08[− 1.04 to 0.86]), but the association of being single with MMSE scores still existed (β [95% CI]: − 1.87[− 3.17 to − 0.58]). Furthermore, the association of being single with MMSE scores was statistically significant in men (β [95% CI]: − 5.25[− 7.17 to − 3.33]) but not in women (β [95% CI: 0.88[− 0.87 to 2.64]).

Discussion and conclusions

Being single was associated with poorer cognitive function compared with their married counterparts in older Chinese men but not in women. More preventive measurements should be implemented for single men to reduce or delay cognitive decline. This is particularly important in the context of an aging population in China.

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Funding

Major Projects on College Leading Talent Team Introduced of Anhui [Grant number 0303011224]; Anhui Provincial Education Department [Grant number KJ2017A189]; Anhui Medical University [Grant number Xj201525]. Fang-biao Tao is supported by Major Projects on College Leading Talent Team Introduced of Anhui. Lin-sheng Yang is supported by the Key Scientific Research Fund of Anhui Provincial Education Department and Grants for Scientific Research of BSKY from Anhui Medical University.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Pei-ru Xu and Rong Wei contributed equally to this paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road 81, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Pei-ru Xu, Bei-jing Cheng & Lin-sheng Yang

  2. School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Rong Wei & Kai-yong Liu

  3. Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    A-jun Wang

  4. Lu’an Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lu’an, 237008, Anhui, China

    Xiu-de Li

  5. Fuyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuyang, 236000, Anhui, China

    Huai-biao Li & Liang Sun

  6. Department of Electrocardiogram, Anhui Province Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC West District, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, People’s Republic of China

    Jing Du

  7. School of Public Health, Experimental Center for Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Jie Sheng

  8. School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Fang-biao Tao

  9. Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China

    Fang-biao Tao

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  1. Pei-ru Xu
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Correspondence to Lin-sheng Yang.

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This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Anhui Medical University.

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Xu, Pr., Wei, R., Cheng, Bj. et al. The association of marital status with cognitive function and the role of gender in Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study. Aging Clin Exp Res 33, 2273–2281 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01743-5

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