Religious attendance linked to slower cognitive decline in Hispanic older adults

Recent research has found that Hispanic older adults who frequently attended religious services tended to experience a slower rate of cognitive decline. Interestingly, Hispanic older adults with higher levels of cognitive functioning were more likely to attend religious services with friends. However, the opposite was observed among White adults. The study was published in Research on Aging.

In childhood, an individual’s cognitive abilities develop rapidly, generally peaking by the early or mid-twenties. This is followed by a period of stability and, later, a gradual decline as the person ages. The rate of cognitive decline in old age varies significantly between individuals. While some experience a relatively rapid decline in their cognitive abilities as early as their 40s or 50s, others maintain good cognitive functioning well into very advanced age.

One important protective factor against cognitive decline is cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve refers to the brain’s ability to compensate for damage or age-related changes by utilizing pre-existing neural networks or adapting through alternative pathways. This concept helps explain why some individuals maintain cognitive function despite having levels of brain pathology similar to those who exhibit significant cognitive decline. Factors such as higher education, engaging in mentally stimulating activities, and maintaining an active social life are believed to build cognitive reserve over a lifetime.

Study author Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston and her colleagues sought to explore whether religious involvement might play a role in maintaining cognitive functioning in old age. They noted that a growing body of literature has examined this relationship but that it remains unclear which aspects of religious practice are beneficial for the cognitive health of older adults. They also emphasized that, due to cultural differences, the relationship between religious practice and cognitive health might differ across racial groups in the United States.

The researchers analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, a multistage probability survey of adults aged 50 years and older, which oversampled Black, Hispanic, and Florida residents. Their analysis included data collected between 2006 and 2020.

In total, the study used data from 14,173 individuals. Of these, 11,053 were White, 1,870 were Black, and 1,250 were Hispanic. The average age was around 65 years for the White participants, while the other two racial groups were, on average, two years younger. Among the participants, 70% of White and Hispanic individuals and 48% of Black individuals were married. On average, Black and Hispanic participants had somewhat lower initial levels of cognitive functioning compared to White participants.

In terms of religious practices, participants with better cognitive functioning were more likely to have friends in their congregation. Among Hispanic participants, those with better initial cognitive functioning were more likely to attend religious services, and they also experienced slower cognitive decline. In contrast, White participants who frequently attended religious services tended to have somewhat worse cognitive functioning, and there was no association with the rate of cognitive decline. For Black participants, there was no observed relationship between cognitive functioning and religious practices.

“The relationship between religious involvement and cognitive function varied both by facet of religious involvement and by race and ethnic status. Religious attendance was associated with slower cognitive decline among Hispanic adults only, a finding that raises additional questions regarding the value of regular participation among those who choose to connect with a faith community,” the study authors concluded.

The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the relationship between religious practices and cognitive functioning in old age. However, it remains unclear why these associations differed among the examined racial groups. Additionally, the number of Hispanic and Black participants was significantly lower than the number of White participants.

It is also important to note that the study’s design does not allow for causal inferences to be drawn from the results. While it is possible that religious activities have a protective effect against cognitive decline, it is equally plausible that individuals experiencing more advanced cognitive decline are less able to participate in religious activities.

The paper, “Religious Involvement and Cognitive Function Among White, Black, and Hispanic Older Adults,” was authored by Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston, Lisa L. Barnes, Patricia A. Thomas, Jacqueline L. Angel, and Kenneth F. Ferraro.