The Development Trajectories of Media Exposure and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: An Analysis Based on Latent Growth Models.

Both media exposure and cognitive function showed significant variation in initial levels and growth rates among older Chinese adults.

• Data were drawn from the Chinese Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) across 2016, 2018, and 2020
• Sample included 7625 participants who completed all cognitive assessments
• Significant variations were found in initial levels and growth rates of both media exposure and cognitive function (p < 0.001)
• Unconditional least squares estimation was used to identify trajectory patterns

Cognitive function showed a negative correlation between its intercept and slope, indicating that older adults with higher baseline cognitive function experienced faster decline.

• The negative correlation between intercept and slope for cognitive function was β = -0.530
• This suggests those starting with higher cognitive levels declined more rapidly over the study period
• The latent growth model was applied using Mplus 8.0

Media exposure showed a negative correlation between its intercept and slope, indicating that older adults with higher baseline media exposure experienced faster decline in media engagement.

• The negative correlation between intercept and slope for media exposure was β = -0.324
• Both media exposure and cognitive function were found to decline over time
• The pattern mirrors the intercept-slope relationship found for cognitive function

Age, gender, and education significantly influenced baseline cognitive levels, while age and education also affected the rate of cognitive decline.

• Age, gender, and education all significantly affected cognitive function intercepts (p < 0.001)
• Age and education significantly affected cognitive decline slopes (p < 0.001)
• Gender did not significantly affect cognitive decline slopes
• Policies were recommended to prioritize women and those with lower education

Baseline media exposure positively influenced both baseline cognitive function and the rate of cognitive change.

• The intercept of media exposure positively influenced the intercept of cognition (β1 = 0.229)
• The intercept of media exposure also negatively influenced the slope of cognition (β2 = -0.070), suggesting higher baseline media exposure was associated with slower cognitive decline
• The slope of media exposure significantly affected cognitive change (β = 0.184, p < 0.001), indicating that increases in media exposure over time were associated with less cognitive decline