Association of majority versus minority first language multilingualism and socioeconomic status with cognition among older adults residing in India.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Multilingualism has been proposed as a protective factor against cognitive aging, but its effects are often intertwined with socioeconomic and sociolinguistic contexts, particularly whether an individual's first language is the societal majority or a minority language.

Methods

We analyzed data from 3854 older adults in the Longitudinal Aging Study in India-Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia (LASI-DAD). Participants were classified as monolingual, majority-language multilingual, or minority-language multilingual. Cognitive outcomes were examined across SES strata using multiple-group models.

Results

Higher SES was consistently associated with better cognition. Multilingualism was associated with better cognitive performance at medium and high SES levels, bu

SUBMITTER: Strangmann IM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12933252 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature