Impact on cognition of main lifetime occupational complexity and household chores in self-validated older adults, men and women

FELDBERG, C.; BARREYRO, J.P.; HERMIDA, P.D.; TARTAGLINI, M.F.; BENNETTI, L.; SOMALE, M.V.; OFMAN, S.D.

Atenas

Simposio; Satellite Symposium Alzheimer's Association International Conference; 2021

Alzheimer's Association

Background: Activity during the life course may impact on cognitive reserve. Occupational complexity and domestic work performed by men and women have an effect on cognition. Understanding these phenomena, is crucial for promoting gender equality and healthy cognitive aging. The aim of the present study is to analyze through a model of structural equations the relative weight of main lifetime occupational complexity and household chores in self-validated older adults, men and women;and its impact on three cognitive domains: verbal episodic memory, language, and executive functions. Methods: A trail analysis was carried out, using the structural equations procedure (SEM) in 146 participants (M = 74.10 years, SD = 8.08 years), 51 Men: Age M = 73.10 years, SD = 6.90 years, Education: M = 12.55 years, SD = 3.87; 95 Women Age M = 73.26 years, SD = 6.04 years, Education: M = 13.26 years, SD = 3.62) independent in ADL. Evaluated with: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Main lifetime occupational activity and household tasks questionnaire, and neuropsychological assessment battery for: episodic verbal memory, language and executive functions.Results: The analysis carried out shows significant differences between men and women in job complexity (z = 3.01, p = .003) in favor of men. In house hold task women performed more complex task (z = 3.85, p < .001). The analysis carried out detected a good fit of the model to the data obtained (GFI = .93, CFI = .93, IFI = .94, RMSR = .05). Regarding the regression weights, complexity in household chores shows moderate effects on executive functions (β = .19, p = .027), on the other hand, occupational complexity showed significant effects on memory (β = .26, p = .008), language (β = .38, p