Sexual orientation and cognition in aging populations: Results from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Wook Yang, PhD; Shelley L. Craig, PhD; John A.E. Anderson, PhD; Lori E. Ross, PhD; Carles Muntaner, PhD

Acta Psychologica (Feb 2024)

Sexual orientation and cognition in aging populations: Results from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Wook Yang, PhD,
Shelley L. Craig, PhD,
John A.E. Anderson, PhD,
Lori E. Ross, PhD,
Carles Muntaner, PhD

Affiliations

Wook Yang, PhD: Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services, California State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA; Corresponding author.
Shelley L. Craig, PhD: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V4, Canada
John A.E. Anderson, PhD: Department of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, 2202A Dunton Tower, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
Lori E. Ross, PhD: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada
Carles Muntaner, PhD: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada; Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 242
p. 104117

Abstract

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The current study utilized the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) data to investigate the relationship between sexual orientation and cognitive health of the aging population. Cognitive flexibility and verbal fluency were examined as outcome variables in the study. A total of 45,993 respondents were included in the analyses. Each model had social support or social participation as a mediator. A series of mediation analysis, stratified by gender, revealed that aging gay men performed better in cognitive tasks related to cognitive flexibility when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The results also indicated that social support is a protective factor for cognitive health in aging lesbian women. This study provides an opportunity to consider how clinical and social services can strategize to build inclusive environments for the aging sexual minority population.

Published in Acta Psychologica

ISSN: 0001-6918 (Print); 1873-6297 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/acta-psychologica

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