The impact of sleep quality on cognitive function in elderly individuals with chronic diseases in the community:the mediating role of social ac-tivities
Objective To explore the mediating role of social activities in the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function among elderly individuals with chronic diseases in the community.Methods From May to August 2022,a stratified convenience sampling method was employed to select 757 elderly individuals with chronic diseases from communities in Nanjing,Changzhou,Nantong,and Xuzhou,Jiangsu Province.The study utilized a general information questionnaire,the Bei-jing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)to assess the fre-quency and types of social activities,sleep quality,and cognitive function of the participants.The PROCESS mediation model was used to investigate the mediating effect of social activities between sleep quality and cognitive function.Results The scores for sleep quality among elderly individuals with chronic diseases showed a negative correlation with the level of partic-ipation in social activities(r=-0.114,P<0.01)and cognitive function(r=-0.169,P<0.001).Furthermore,the level of participa-tion in social activities was positively correlated with cognitive function(r=0.146,P<0.001).Mediation effect testing indicated that social activities partially mediated the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function(21.35%),with a media-tion effect range of(95%CI:-0.035 to-0.006).Conclusion Social activities play a partial mediating role in the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function among elderly individuals with chronic diseases in the community,indirectly af-fecting their cognitive function.Community workers should emphasize the importance of social activities in delaying cognitive decline among elderly individuals with chronic diseases,and strive to enhance their participation in social activities through comprehensive and multi-level approaches,thereby reducing the incidence of cognitive impairment.
Community elderly individuals with chronic diseasesSleep qualityCognitive functionSocial activities