Disparities of Life-Course Socioeconomic Position in Subsequent Cognitive Functioning in Older Taiwanese Adults

Chi Chiao, National Yang Ming University
Li-Jen Weng, National Taiwan University
Amanda Botticello, Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation
Jong-Ling Fuh, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University

There have been few investigations of the causal link between disparities in life-course socioeconomic position (SEP) and late-life cognitive functioning status. Furthermore, observational studies that are often complicated by sample selection bias, which makes causal inference limited. We thus propose propensity score matching methods to evaluate the consequences of disparities in life-course SEP on cognitive functioning status in later life among older Taiwanese adults. Data are from 6 waves of the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging, a nationally representative data from 1993 to 2007. Life-course SEP measures and cumulative SEP disadvantage are derived from 3 life stages (childhood, adulthood, and mid-life) according to paternal and participant’s education and occupation. The cognitive functioning status is measured by a brief mental status. Preliminary results suggest that life-course SEP disadvantage contributes to poor cognitive function in later life and its effect persists over life course.