Lifetime occupational skill and later‐life cognitive function among older adults in the United States, Mexico, India, and South Africa
Lindsay C. Kobayashi, Brendan Q. O'Shea, Caroline Wixom, Richard N. Jones, Kenneth M. Langa, David Weir, Jinkook Lee, Rebeca Wong, Alden L. Gross- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Neurology (clinical)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Health Policy
- Epidemiology
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
We conducted a cross‐national comparison of the association between main lifetime occupational skills and later‐life cognitive function across four economically and socially distinct countries.
METHODS
Data were from population‐based studies of aging and their Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols (HCAPs) in the US, South Africa, India, and Mexico (N = 10,037; Age range: 50 to 105 years; 2016 to 2020). Main lifetime occupational skill was classified according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations. Weighted, adjusted regression models estimated pooled and country‐specific associations between main lifetime occupational skill and later‐life general cognitive function in men and women.
RESULTS
We observed positive gradients between occupational skill and later‐life cognitive function for men and women in the US and Mexico, a positive gradient for women but not men in India, and no association for men or women in South Africa.
DISCUSSION
Main lifetime occupations may be a source of later‐life cognitive reserve, with cross‐national heterogeneity in this association.
Highlights
No studies have examined cross‐national differences in the association of occupational skill with cognition. We used data from Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols in the US, Mexico, India, and South Africa. The association of occupational skill with cognitive function varies by country and gender.