BackgroundBoth positive and negative affectivity (PNA) and social leisure activities (SLA) are significantly associated with cognitive function, yet their relative strength of association with long-term cognitive decline remains unclear. Exploring this issue has significant implications for designing precise and effective cognitive health promotion programs in the future.MethodsThe data were derived from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Our analysis included 1,847 older adults (≥65 years) without diagnosed dementia at baseline, who were followed from 2008 to 2018. Using Group-Based Trajectory Models (GBTM), participants were classified based on their PNA and SLA trajectories to identify distinct subgroups. Binomial logistic regression analyzed associations between these groups and cognitive function, with Likelihood Ratio and Wald Tests comparing their relative strengths of association.ResultsThe “High-rapid-increasing PNA” group exhibited a 264% higher risk of cognitive impairment compared to the “Low-stable-increasing PNA” group (OR = 3.64, 95% CI: 2.92, 4.52). The “Low-stable SLA” group was associated with increased cognitive impairment risk (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.08). PNA demonstrated a stronger association with cognitive function than SLA [Likelihood Ratio Test: Δχ²(1) = 137.37, p < 0.001]. However, a formal test for multiplicative interaction was not statistically significant (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.35).ConclusionPNA demonstrated a stronger association with cognitive function in older adults than SLA. Affective factors may be a critical, and potentially underutilized, target for cognitive health interventions in aging populations.
Radically different