P3‐209: Cognitive functioning mediates the relationship between social functioning and activities of daily living in older adults

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Previous literature shows a strong, positive relationship between cognition and activities of daily living (ADLS) in older adults. Research also shows a positive relationship between social functioning and cognition. The current study examined the relationship between social functioning and ADLS and explored cognition as a mediator of that relationship. 75 community-dwelling older adults (46 female) aged 65 to 99 years (M =73.5, SD = 8.20) were recruited as part of a larger, ongoing study. Cognition was assessed via the CNS Vital Signs (CNS-VS) cognitive battery. Verbal and visual memory, reasoning, processing speed, and executive functioning (EF) indexes of CNS-VS were averaged to compute global cognition. Social functioning was measured via the social functioning scale of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (MOS SF-36), which assesses the amount and extent of limitations in social activities due to physical or emotional difficulties. ADLS were assessed via the performance-based Direct Assessment of Functional Status – Revised (DAFS-R). Mediation analysis was conducted using the causal steps method and age was controlled in all analyses. Social functioning (β = .222, p = .011) and global cognition (β = .474, p < .001) predicted DAFS-R. Social functioning also predicted global cognition (β = .276, p = .003). However, global cognition attenuated the effect of social functioning on DAFS-R (β = .103, p = .204) but remained a significant predictor itself. Follow-up exploratory analyses indicated that EF might be driving these results. Social functioning predicted EF (β = .314, p = .003) and EF predicted DAFS-R (β = .323, p < .001). However, EF diminished the relationship between social functioning and DAFS-R (β = .136, p = .115), but remained significant itself. Results replicate findings that cognition is a strong predictor of ADLS. Additionally, social functioning, specifically self-reported social limitations, predicted both cognition and ADLS. Cognition, and in particular EF, mediated the relationship between social functioning and ADLS. Thus, decreasing social limitations and improving cognition may be appropriate targets of intervention for future studies aiming to improve ADLS in older adults. Social activities recruiting EF may be especially beneficial.