The Mediating Effect of Physical Function Decline on the Association Between Social Activity and Cognitive Function in Middle and Older Korean Adults: Analyzing Ten Years of Data Through Multivariate Latent Growth Modeling

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the long-term association between social activity, physical function decline and cognitive function, as well as verify the long-term mediating effect of physical function decline on the relationship between social activity and cognitive function. Methods: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging that was collected over ten years was analyzed. The sample included 10,240 adults aged 45 to 93 years (Mean age = 61.66 [SD = 11.061]). Multivariate latent growth modeling was applied to verify the long-term effect of social activity and physical function on cognitive function. Results: The results revealed that social activity had a positive impact on cognitive function and negative impact on physical function decline after controlling for age and education level. Additionally, physical function decline negatively influenced cognitive function. Finally, social activity indirectly affected cognitive function through physical function decline. Conclusion: The contribution of this study was to test the long-term effect social activity on physical and cognitive function.