Ahrenfeldt LJ, Stripp TA, Möller S, Viftrup DT, Nissen RD, Hvidt NC. Cognitive function among religious and non-religious Europeans: a cross-national cohort study.
Aging Ment Health 2024;
28:502-510. [PMID:
37771160 DOI:
10.1080/13607863.2023.2260766]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To examine the associations between several measures and categories of religiosity and cognitive function across sex and European regions.
METHODS
We conducted a longitudinal study including 17,756 Europeans aged 50 and older who participated in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe wave 1. Participants were followed for up to 15 years. Associations were analyzed using linear mixed effects models adjusted for several potential confounders.
RESULTS
Religious service attendance was consistently associated with better cognitive function (coefficient: 1.04, 95% CI 0.71; 1.37) across sex and European regions. Praying was also associated with better cognitive function but only among men (coefficient: 0.55, 95% CI 0.15; 0.96). However, individuals who received religious education from their parents had poorer cognitive function (coefficient: -0.59, 95% CI -0.93; -0.25). The association persisted in women and among both sexes in Western Europe. Comparing different religious categories to the non-religious, participants who were religious in childhood showed an inverse association with cognitive function, while persistently religious men exhibited better cognitive function.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that religious service attendance and, to a certain extent, prayer is associated with better cognitive function. However, receiving religious education in childhood may be linked to lower cognitive function.
Collapse