Rocha-Razuri C, Rodriguez-Gomez J, Gonzalez-Viruet M
Objective: This study aims to examine the moderating role of marital status and religion on cognitive functioning in Puerto Rican older adults.
Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted (N=143), and most of the participants were women (n=104, Mage=73). Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) raw scores were used to measure cognitive functioning.
Results: Marital status and religion did not moderate the relationship between cardiovascular disease and cognitive functioning (b=2.32, p=0.07, 95% CI [-.20-4.83]), (b=-.35, p=0.86, 95% CI [-4.22-3.52]), respectively. Cardiovascular disease and religion were not related to cognitive functioning; however, marital status was statistically significant related with cognitive functioning (b=2.41, p<0.05, 95% CI [1.16-3.67]), with a median effect size, η2=0.08.
Discussion and Conclusion: This study reiterates the importance of integrating social factors, such as having a partner, to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in old age.