Association of empty nest and group activity with cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: This study explored the associations of empty nest and group activity with cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults.

Materials and methods: Data were analyzed from 10,349 participants of the second-round survey database of the Zhejiang Ageing and Health Cohort Study aged 60 years and over. Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination questionnaire. Logistic regression models controlled for an extensive range of potential confounders were generated to examine the associations of empty nest and group activity with cognitive impairment.

Results: No association was found between empty nest and cognitive impairment in total participants. However, when stratified by sex, empty nest women were less likely to have cognitive impairment than non-empty nest women, odds ratio (OR) (95 % confidence interval [CI]) (0.846; 0.721, 0.993). Elders who participated in group activities showed significantly lower odds of cognitive impairment than those who never attended group activities, (0.811; 0.723, 0.910). This association remained significant in the 60-69-years group when further stratified by age, with an OR (95 % CI) of 0.616 (0.514, 0.739).

Conclusions: Empty nesters were not vulnerable to poor cognitive function. Participation in group activities was significantly associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment. Prospective studies are needed to assess the effect of empty nest and group activity on the risk of cognitive impairment.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Empty nest; Group activity; Mini-Mental State examination; Older adults.