Article (Scientific journals)
Economic Downturns, Retirement and Long-Term Cognitive Function Among Older Americans
Hessel, Philipp; Riumallo-Herl, Carlos; Leist, Anja et al.
2017In Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Peer reviewed
 

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Keywords :
cognitive function; economic recessions; unemployment
Abstract :
[en] 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 in a downturn at 55–64 years of age, individuals experiencing two downturns at these ages had 0.09 point (95% Confidence Interval [CI, −0.17, −0.02]) lower cognitive functioning scores at ≥65 years (3 years: b = −0.17, 95%CI [−0.29, −0.06]; 4 years: b = −0.14, 95%CI [−0.25, −0.02]; ≥5 years: b = −0.22, 95%CI [−0.38, −0.06]). Downturns at 55–64 years of age were not associated with rates of cognitive decline. Discussion: Exposure to downturns around retirement is associated with a long-lasting decline in cognitive function in later life. Policies mitigating the impact of downturns on older workers may help to maintain cognitive function in later life.
Research center :
- Integrative Research Unit: Social and Individual Development (INSIDE) > PEARL Institute for Research on Socio-Economic Inequality (IRSEI)
Disciplines :
Sociology & social sciences
Author, co-author :
Hessel, Philipp
Riumallo-Herl, Carlos
Leist, Anja  ;  University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Integrative Research Unit: Social and Individual Development (INSIDE)
Berkman, Lisa
Avendano, Mauricio
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
Economic Downturns, Retirement and Long-Term Cognitive Function Among Older Americans
Publication date :
11 April 2017
Journal title :
Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
ISSN :
1079-5014
Publisher :
Gerontological Society of America
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Funders :
FNR - Fonds National de la Recherche [LU]
Available on ORBilu :
since 19 April 2017

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