Childhood Loneliness and Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Adult loneliness has been linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk, but the long-term implications of childhood loneliness remain underexplored.

Objectives

To investigate whether childhood loneliness is associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk and whether adult loneliness mediates or modifies these associations.

Design, setting, and participants

This cohort study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative cohort study conducted between June 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018, with a maximum follow-up of 7 years. Data analyses were performed from October 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025.

Exposure

Childhood loneliness was defined as self-reported frequent feelings of loneliness and the absence

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12432641 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature