Stronger Minds Together: How Resilience and Social Support Associate with Cognitive Function during Aging

Background Cognitive impairment poses a major public health concern in ageing societies. This study investigated the independent and joint associations of resilience and social support with cognitive function among community-dwelling middle-aged and older Chinese adults, and explored gender-specific differences. Methods A total of 3,058 Chinese adults aged ≥ 50 years from both urban and rural communities were included. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Resilience was assessed using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and social support by the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6). Logistic regression models stratified by gender were applied with adjustment for demographic, behavioral, and health-related variables. Generalized additive models were used to test non-linear associations, and joint effects were examined with combined categories. Results Overall, 18.4% of participants (20.1% women, 16.3% men) had cognitive impairment. Higher resilience and social support were independently associated with lower odds of impairment. Curvilinear associations were observed in generalized additive models. Compared with low resilience and low support, participants with moderate resilience and high support had the lowest risk (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11–0.51). Conclusions Resilience and social support were independently and jointly associated with better cognitive function. Promoting psychosocial resources, especially among women, may represent an important gender-sensitive strategy for cognitive health promotion in ageing populations.