Education,Acculturation,and Network Diversity as Promoters of Cognitive Function: A Study of Older Chinese,Korean,and Vietnamese Americans in Southern California

Abstract

Objectives

This study examined the role of education, acculturation, and network characteristics (size and diversity) in the cognitive function of older Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans.

Methods

Data were drawn from 158 participants aged 60 or older in the DREAMS study—a study on Asian Americans’ sleep and health conducted in Southern California.

Results

Multivariate models of cognitive function showed significant effects of education (B [SE] = 0.28 [0.07], p < .001), acculturation (B [SE] = 0.17 [0.06], p < .01), and network diversity (B [SE] = 0.26 [0.12], p < .05).

Conclusions

Our findings support the role of education as a general cognitive reserve factor and acculturation as an immigrant-specific one. We also observed cognitive health benefits associated with diverse social networks, underscoring the importance of fostering opportunities for varied social interactions.

Keywords

network diversity bridging social capital cognitive function older immigrants

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