Cognitive function and friendship network characteristics among older couples

Objectives: This study explores the dyadic relationship between cognitive function and friendship characteristics among older married couples framed within the “linked lives” dimension of the life course perspective. The study also explores whether the dyadic consequences of cognitive function for friendship networks vary by gender. Methods: The study uses the data from the 2014/2016 Health and Retirement Study (N=2,944 dyads). Cognitive function is assessed with a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognition Status. Friendship characteristics are assessed with the number of close friends, contact frequency with friends, and perceived social support and social strain from friends. An actor partner independence model is adopted to test the proposed hypotheses. Results: The results indicate that wives and husbands with better cognitive function have more contact frequency with friends. Wives also report more frequent contact with friends when their husbands have better cognitive function. However, the actor and partner associations between cognitive function and the number of close friends and perceived social support, and social strain from friends are not statistically significant. Gender differences for the association between cognitive function and friendship are not supported. Discussion: The findings highlight the social consequences of cognitive health and emphasize the interdependence between the actor and the partner who are in a shared relationship. More studies are needed to uncover the complex associations between health conditions and friendship characteristics among married couples.