The Association Between Widowhood and Change in Cognitive Function for the Elderly

• Main Authors: Wei-Zhi Sun, 孫瑋志
• Other Authors: 王劼
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/97779415198298335110

碩士 === 長榮大學 === 醫務管理學系碩士班 === 104 === Background and Objective：Cognitive decline is a common problem for the elderly population and many of them may eventually suffer from various types of dementia. Marital status is often associated with different health outcomes. However, there werevery few studies that specifically examined the relationship between widowhood and cognitive decline. This study examined the associationbetween widowhood and cognitive declinein the elderly and also explore whether this relationship differs.between different genders. Method：Data for this longitudinal cohort study came from the 2003 and 2007 waves of the Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan. The finial sample included1,086 participants. Linear regression modelswere used for data analyses. Result：10.68% of the study sample waswidowed during the four-year study period. On average, the cognitive function of the study sample declined 0.24 points, with the widowed elderly declined significantly more than those that were still married during this period. There was significant correlation between widowhood and cognitive decline. Furthermore, this relationship was significant in the female sample but not in the male sample. Conclusion：Future policy initiatives should assist the widowed elderly to cope with their life situations to prevent cognitive decline and promote successful aging.