| Title: |
Is Early-Life Enrichment Associated With Better Cognitive Function Among Older Adults? Examining Home and School Environments |
| Authors: |
Bell, Mallory J.; Sauerteig-Rolston, Madison R.; Ferraro, Kenneth F. |
| Contributors: |
National Institute on Aging |
| Source: |
Journal of Aging and Health ; volume 37, issue 3-4, page 156-166 ; ISSN 0898-2643 1552-6887 |
| Publisher Information: |
SAGE Publications |
| Publication Year: |
2024 |
| Description: |
Objectives: We examine whether early-life enrichment, involving varied and stimulating activities to enhance cognitive function during childhood and adolescence, is associated with cognitive function in later life and whether the benefits persist over time. Methods: Growth curve models were used to examine up to five waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study—a nationally representative survey of adults 50 years and older ( N = 10,070). We constructed separate measures of early-life enrichment to distinguish sources of influence (i.e., enriched home environment and enriched school environment). Global cognitive function was assessed with a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Results: Greater enrichment in each environment was incrementally associated with better cognitive function at baseline, but enrichment was not associated with change in cognitive function over time. Discussion: Receiving enrichment from multiple environments during sensitive periods of cognitive development may be advantageous for cognitive functioning in later life. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1177/08982643241232718 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643241232718; https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/08982643241232718; https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/08982643241232718 |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ ; https://journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.2DE0A02B |
| Database: |
BASE |