Neighborhood Disadvantage and Cognitive Function - The Moderating Role of Self-reported Loneliness

Sep 29, 2026

Neighborhood disadvantage has been associated with poorer cognitive performance and greater cognitive decline in older adults, yet potential moderators have not been well studied. The study examined whether self-reported loneliness moderates the association between neighborhood disadvantage and cognitive function. Data included 136 older adults (36% male; mean age 68.04 years). Neighborhood disadvantage was measured with the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and cognitive function with verbal fluency, verbal memory, nonverbal memory, and working memory tasks. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Results linked higher ADI rankings with worse short- and long-term nonverbal memory, and loneliness moderated the ADI–nonverbal memory associations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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Abstract

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Methods and measures

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974 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3290 NEIGHBORHOOD DISADVANTAGE AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF SELF-REPORTED LONELINESS Regina Wright1, and Desiree Bygrave2, 1. University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States, 2. Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina, United States Neighborhood disadvantage has been linked to worse cognitive performance and greater cognitive decline among older Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 975 adults; however, moderators of these associations have not been well studied. Loneliness is a potential moderator of importance—one that also worsens cognitive functioning. Given the documented influence of neighborhood disadvantage and loneliness on cognitive functioning, it is important to understand whether self-reported loneliness exacerbates this relationship. Therefore, the objective of the study was to examine associations between neighborhood disadvantage and cognitive function, and to examine whether associations are moderated by self-reported loneliness. The analysis included 136 older adults (36% male) with a mean age of 68.04y. Neighborhood disadvantage was assessed with the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), that provided state and national rankings of neighborhood deprivation. Cognitive function was assessed with the Verbal Fluency Test (verbal fluency), the Visual Reproductions Test (short-and long-term nonverbal memory), Logical Memory Test (verbal memory) and Digit Span Forward and Backward (working memory) . Self-reported loneliness was measured with the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Multivariable regression analyses were run, adjusted for age, sex, and educational attainment. Results showed that greater national ADI rankings (more disadvantage) were associated with worse short-term nonverbal memory. Similarly, greater state and national ADI rankings were associated with worse long-term nonverbal memory. Additional results showed that loneliness moderated the relationship between national ADI rankings and both types of nonverbal memory. Overall, our findings suggest that greater neighborhood disadvantage may influence select domains of memory, and that one’s self-reported loneliness may influence how this relationship manifests.

FAQs

What was the study trying to determine about neighborhood disadvantage and cognition?

The study assessed associations between neighborhood disadvantage and cognitive function in older adults. It also tested whether self-reported loneliness moderated those associations.

How were neighborhood disadvantage and cognitive function measured?

Neighborhood disadvantage was measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). Cognitive function was assessed using verbal fluency, logical memory, digit span (forward and backward), and visual reproductions tests for short- and long-term nonverbal memory.

What role did loneliness play in the relationship between disadvantage and memory?

Loneliness moderated the relationship between national ADI rankings and both short- and long-term nonverbal memory. Higher disadvantage related to worse nonverbal memory, with effects influenced by loneliness.

Sep 29, 2026

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