@article {12077, title = {Change in Episodic Memory with Spousal Loss: The Role of Social Relationships.}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology, Series B }, volume = {77}, year = {2022}, pages = {683-694}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: The spousal relationship is one of the most important social contexts in old age and the loss of a spouse/partner is associated with stress and cognitive decline. In the present study, we examined whether social relationships can buffer potential negative effects of spousal loss on cognition. We examined the role of social network, social activities, and perceived deficiencies in social relationships (loneliness).

METHOD: We used longitudinal data between 1998-2012 from 2,077 participants of the Health and Retirement Study, who had experienced spousal loss during the study period. Multilevel modeling was used to examine how time-varying indicators of social network, social activities, and loneliness were related to age-related trajectories of episodic memory prior to and after spousal loss. Analyses controlled for gender, race/ethnicity, education, time-varying functional health and being re-partnered/re-married.

RESULTS: Having children living within 10 miles and providing help to others buffered negative effects of widowhood on episodic memory. In addition, within-person increase in providing help to others buffered against decline in episodic memory after spousal loss. Having friends in the neighborhood, more frequent social visits, providing help to others, volunteering, and lack of loneliness were related to higher episodic memory, while having relatives in the neighborhood was related to lower episodic memory.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that social networks, social activities, and loneliness are related to levels of cognitive function at the time of spousal loss and that social relationships can buffer negative effects of spousal loss on cognitive function. Implications for future research are discussed.

}, keywords = {Episodic Memory, longitudinal, Social Relationships, Spousal loss, Widowhood}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbab231}, author = {H{\"u}l{\"u}r, Gizem and Elayoubi, Joanne and Nelson, Monica E and William E. Haley} } @article {10689, title = {Psychological Health Benefits of Companion Animals Following a Social Loss}, journal = {TheGerontologist}, volume = {60}, year = {2020}, pages = {428-438}, type = {Journal}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In later life, the loss of a spouse due to divorce or widowhood is common and can lead to elevated depressive symptoms and loneliness. Research suggests that companion animal (CA) may be beneficial for psychological health, but limited research has explored whether CA can buffer negative consequences of social losses. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study uses data drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine changes in depressive symptoms and loneliness in relation to a social loss among those with/without a CA. We used inverse-probability weighted regression to adjust for selection factors and isolate effects of CA ownership on changes in psychological health. RESULTS: Regardless of CA ownership, spousal loss was associated with psychological health consequences. Facing a social loss without a CA was related to statistically greater increases in depressive symptoms relative to those with a pet (2.580 vs. 1.207 symptoms, respectively). Similarly, experiencing a loss was associated with significantly greater increases in loneliness, with statistically greater increases in loneliness among those without a CA (p < .01). However, those with a CA did not experience greater increases in loneliness than those who did not experience a loss. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: In later life, CA ownership may buffer against the detrimental consequences of major social losses on psychological health. Future research on the therapeutic effects of CA ownership, as well as pet therapy, during other major life stage transitions is needed to help isolate potential mechanisms driving the benefits of human-animal interactions. }, keywords = {Human{\textendash}animal interaction, Spousal loss}, issn = {17585341}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnz109}, author = {Dawn C Carr and Miles G Taylor and Nancy R Gee and Natalie J Sachs-Ericsson} }