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KMID : 0379220150350010191
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Journal of Korea Gerontological Society
2015 Volume.35 No. 1 p.191 ~ p.206
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The Gender Difference in the Effects of Severe Diseases on the Trajectory of Cognitive Function among Middle and Older Adults
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Lee Eun-Jee
Jue Mihn-Sook
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Abstract
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This study was conducted to examine how severe diseases impact the middle and older adults’ cognitive function. The four waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing was used for this study. The sample consisted of 1,834 males and 1,802 females who had maintained their marital relationship from wave 1 to wave 4 and whose spouses reported no severe diseases throughout the waves. Males and females who reported through all waves to have one or more severe diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke were coded 1 and who did not report any such disease were coded 0. Cognitive function was measured by the K-MMSE. Using Latent Growth Model, the data was analyzed with time-invariant (age, education) and time-variant (income, depression) control variables. The results showed that both males and females with severe diseases indicated lower levels of cognitive function at wave 4. However, there was a significant effect on the trajectory of cognitive function for only females with severe diseases, which suggested a higher rate of decline in cognitive function over time. Given the results, it is necessary to draw up measures to minimize the negative effects of severe diseases to prevent the acceleration of decline in cognitive function.
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KEYWORD
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severe diseases , middle and older adults , cognitive function , gender difference , LGM
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