Economic Downturns, Retirement and Long-Term Cognitive Function Among Older Americans.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Workers approaching retirement may be particularly vulnerable to economic downturns. This study assesses whether exposure to economic downturns around retirement age leads to poorer cognitive function in later life.

Method

Longitudinal data for 13,577 individuals in the Health and Retirement Study were linked to unemployment rates in state of residence. Random- and fixed-effect models were used to examine whether downturns at 55-64 years of age were associated with cognitive functioning levels and decline at ≥65 years, measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised.

Results

Longer exposure to downturns at 55-64 years of age was associated with lower levels of cognitive function at ≥65 years. Compared to individuals experiencing only up to 1 year i

SUBMITTER: Hessel P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6018975 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature