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April 16, 2026The Journals of Gerontology Series B

Racial/Ethnic Variation of Neighborhood Social Cohesion, Loneliness, and Cognitive Functioning among Midlife and Older U.S. Adults

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Authors

JSJeffrey E StokesUniversity of Massachusetts BostonKLKenzie Latham-MintusIndiana University – Purdue University IndianapolisHFHeather R. FarmerUniversity of Delaware

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Implication

The study shows that loneliness affects cognitive decline in older adults, suggesting the benefit of social cohesion for non-Hispanic Whites.

Key Points

  • To explore how neighborhood social cohesion and loneliness affect cognitive functioning among midlife and older U.S. adults across different racial and ethnic groups.
  • Analyzed cognitive trajectories of midlife and older adults from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Examined the relationship between neighborhood social cohesion and loneliness.
  • Compared cognitive outcomes while accounting for racial/ethnic differences.
  • Loneliness was linked to greater cognitive decline over time in all racial/ethnic groups.
  • Only non-Hispanic White participants showed cognitive benefits from living in socially cohesive neighborhoods.
  • Increased social cohesion reduced feelings of loneliness, impacting cognitive trajectories.

Cite This Study

Stokes et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69e07d3c2f7e8953b7cbe449https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbag049
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Loneliness and global cognitive functioning in racially and ethnically diverse US midlife and older adults2024 · 12 citations
  2. 2Exploring the influence of loneliness on cognitive decline: differential effects in Black and White older adults2025 · 2 citations
  3. 3Histories of neighborhood socioeconomic status contribute to race differences in later‐life cognition2024 · 11 citations
  4. 4Neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder in relation to social isolation in older adults: racial and ethnic differences2024 · 23 citations
  5. 5An exploration of neighborhood characteristics, psychosocial resilience resources, and cognitive functioning among midlife and older black adults2024 · 5 citations