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Outline
To examine the longitudinal association between informal caregiving and cognitive function among middle-aged and older Chinese adults, and to explore its heterogeneity.
Using five waves of longitudinal data (2011-2020) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study included 4 841 adults aged 45 and above. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to analyze associations of informal caregiving and caregiving intensity with cognitive function, and investigated caregiving roles in relation to cognition, stratified by marital or cohabitation status.
Compared to non-caregivers, caregivers demonstrated better performance in global cognition (β=0.039, 95% CI:0.001-0.076, P=0.043) and executive function (β=0.040, 95% CI:0.003-0.078, P=0.037). High-intensity caregiving was positively associated with global cognition (β=0.101, 95% CI:0.039-0.164, P=0.001), episodic memory (β=0.076, 95% CI: 0.014-0.138, P=0.016), and executive function (β=0.101, 95% CI:0.039-0.164, P=0.001). Moderate-intensity caregiving was associated with higher episodic memory scores (β=0.123, 95% CI: 0.002-0.244, P=0.047). Spousal caregivers had lower levels of global cognition (β=0.196, 95% CI: 0.351-0.040, P=0.014), whereas grandparent caregivers who were separated, divorced, or widowed showed superior episodic memory (β=0.163, 95% CI:0.013-0.314, P=0.033).
The impact of informal caregiving on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults varies significantly based on the caregiving role, intensity, and sociodemographic characteristics. Future policies should provide differentiated support for various caregiver groups to optimize their health outcomes.
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| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |
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