@article {10927, title = {Early Cognitive Decline and Its Impact On Spouse{\textquoteright}s Loneliness}, journal = {Research in Human DevelopmentResearch in Human Development}, volume = {17}, year = {2020}, pages = {78 - 93}, abstract = {Loneliness is common in dementia caregivers as cognitive impairment (CI) alters marital and social relationships. Unexplored is how an individual{\textquoteright}s loneliness is affected at earlier, more ambiguous, periods of their spouse{\textquoteright}s CI. Using the Health and Retirement Study, our study participants included 2,206 coupled individuals with normal cognitive function at the 2006/8 baseline. Loneliness outcomes at baseline, 4-year, and 8-year follow-up are assessed by the status of transition to cognitive impairment no dementia (TCIND) (2010/12 \& 2014/16) using linear mixed models. Individual{\textquoteright}s loneliness was stable when their spouse{\textquoteright}s cognition remained normal, but increased with the spouse{\textquoteright}s TCIND. The increase in loneliness did not vary by gender. Loneliness, a key risk factor for reduced life quality and increased depression, increases even at early stages of a partner{\textquoteright}s CIND. This work suggests the potential impact of early intervention and social support for partners of individuals with CIND.}, keywords = {cognition impairment, depression, Loneliness, Spouses}, isbn = {1542-7609}, doi = {10.1080/15427609.2020.1750293}, author = {Amanda N Leggett and Choi, Hwajung and William J. Chopik and Hui Liu and Gonzalez, Richard} }