Pan Chaoping, Cao Na
School of Medical Humanities and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Key Research Centre of Philosophy and Social Sciences of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Medical Humanities, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
J Glob Health. 2025 Mar 21;15:04077. doi: 10.7189/jogh.15.04077.
Social isolation (SI), loneliness, and cognitive function (CF) are increasingly acknowledged as significant public health concerns globally. In this study, we aimed to investigate the bidirectional relationships and mediating effects between SI, loneliness, and CF among older adults in China.
We analysed data from six waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey conducted between 2002-18. The sample included individuals aged ≥65 years. We used the general cross-lagged panel model to account for confounding factors and reveal mediating effects.
The findings indicated that SI and loneliness can independently lower CF. Moreover, loneliness may lower CF through SI, and SI may also lower CF through loneliness. Finally, we revealed that decreased CF can increase SI and loneliness.
SI and loneliness are significantly intertwined with CF among older adults in China. Interventions aiming at reducing SI, loneliness, and CF should consider the interplay of these factors to enhance the health and well-being of older adults.
社会隔离、孤独感和认知功能日益被视为全球重大的公共卫生问题。在本研究中，我们旨在调查中国老年人中社会隔离、孤独感和认知功能之间的双向关系及中介作用。
我们分析了2002年至2018年间进行的六次中国健康与养老追踪调查的数据。样本包括年龄≥65岁的个体。我们使用一般交叉滞后面板模型来解释混杂因素并揭示中介作用。
研究结果表明，社会隔离和孤独感可独立降低认知功能。此外，孤独感可能通过社会隔离降低认知功能，社会隔离也可能通过孤独感降低认知功能。最后，我们发现认知功能下降会增加社会隔离和孤独感。
在中国老年人中，社会隔离和孤独感与认知功能显著相互交织。旨在减少社会隔离、孤独感和认知功能下降的干预措施应考虑这些因素之间的相互作用，以增进老年人的健康和福祉。
