Objective  To explore the impact and urban-rural differences of social activity participation on cognitive function among Chinese elderly.

Methods  This study was based on data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018, 4 669 elderly aged 60 years and above were included in the study. The sociodemographic information, health status, social activity participation and cognitive function scores of the elderly were collected. Multiple linear regression models were employed to analyze the influence of social participation on cognitive function of the elderly.

Results  Among the 4 669 individuals, 880 had cognitive impairments, resulting in a detection rate of 18.0%. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that socializing with friends, playing chess and card games, engaging in stock trading, internet use and the quantity of social activities were influencing factors of cognitive function in the elderly. The social activities that affect cognitive function in urban elderly were socializing with friends [=-0.30, 95%CI (-0.59, -0.01), P=0.045] and engaging in stock trading [=-0.65, 95%CI (-0.99, -0.31), P<0.001]. The social activities that affect cognitive function in rural elderly were socializing with friends [=-0.46, 95%CI (-0.72, -0.20), P=0.003], playing chess and card games [=-0.43, 95%CI (-0.72, -0.14), P<0.01], engaging in stock trading [=-1.10, 95%CI (-1.65, -0.55), P<0.001], and internet use [=-1.18, 95%CI (-2.26, -0.10), P=0.033]. Additionally, engaging in stock trading was statistically associated with three cognitive dimensions: orientation [=-0.13, 95%CI (-0.25, -0.01), P<0.05], attention and calculation ability [=-0.14, 95%CI (-0.26, -0.02), P<0.05], and language ability [=-0.37, 95%CI (-0.53, -0.22), P<0.01].

Conclusion  Simple social interactions (socializing with friends) and intellectually engaging activities (such as playing chess and card games, engaging in stock trading and internet use) were important factors influencing cognitive function of the elderly. The government should encourage social engagement among the elderly through policy initiatives. When compared to the urban elderly, these social activities had greater impacts on the cognitive function of the rural elderly. Therefore, more attention should be given to the elderly in rural areas. Tailored intervention strategies should be developed to address the decline in different cognitive dimensions among the elderly, aiming for more precise and actionable interventions.

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