Marital Status-Specific Associations Between Multidomain Leisure Activities and Cognitive Reserve in Clinically Unimpaired Older Adults: Based on a National Chinese Cohort

Abstract

Background: It is unclear how marital status moderates the association between multidomain leisure activities and the progression of cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey with up to 10 years of follow-up were used. The study included participants aged ≥65 years without cognitive impairment at baseline. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the modifying effect of marriage on leisure activities (multiple types, frequency, and single type) and cognitive decline. Results: A total of 5286 participants (aged 79.01 ± 9.54 years, 50.0% women, and 61.4% rural residents) were enrolled. The results indicated that marital status moderates the relationship between leisure activities and cognitive decline. In the unmarried group, multi-type and high-frequency leisure activities were more strongly associated with slower cognitive decline. Specific activities such as gardening, reading, performing household chores, and playing cards were found to significantly contribute to cognitive protection exclusively within the unmarried group, with no such effect observed in the married group. Conclusions: Marital status affects the relationship between participation in multiple leisure activities and cognitive decline in cognitively intact elderly people. For unmarried older adults, regular participation in leisure activities may be an effective intervention.