Functional Social Support Subtypes Are Associated With Executive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Findings From the Baseline Comprehensive Cohort of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether functional social support-the degree to which one perceives support is available when needed-is associated with executive function, a key cognitive domain for everyday functioning and adaptation to change. METHODS: Analyses (n = 23,491) utilized cross-sectional data from the Comprehensive cohort of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a population-based study of community-dwelling adults aged 45-85 years. Executive function was assessed by neurocognitive battery. Perceived social support was measured using the 19-item Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey. Logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic, health, and social covariates. RESULTS: Positive social interactions as well as affectionate and emotional/informational functional social support were positively associated with executive function. DISCUSSION: Social support plays an important role in cognitive health. Diversifying social programming beyond tangible social support to target other subtypes of support may help preserve executive function in middle-aged and older adults.