RELATION BETWEEN COGNITIVE DECLINE AND INTERNET UTILIZATION AMONG ELDERLY

Objectives: This essay investigates the possible effect of internet utilization on cognitive<br> decline among elderly.<br> Methods: Cognitive decline is measured by changes in cognition assessed by several<br> variables from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Variables describe fluid intelligence,<br> mental status, crystallized intelligence, and metacognition. I regress these variables<br> measuring cognitive decline on internet utilization at three different timespans for both<br> genders, individually. I also examine whether the effect of internet utilization changes on<br> cognitive decline after controlling for retirement. As a sensitivity analysis, I exclude possibly<br> impaired respondents. To study the effect of internet utilization on cognitive decline,<br> I conduct different regressions depending on the type of various dependent variables. I use<br> ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regressions.<br> Results: I find strong correlations between increased internet utilization and weakening<br> in cognitive decline assessed by all category of cognition. Fluid intelligence has<br> the strongest association, whereas mental status, crystallized intelligence, and metacognition<br> are less frequently affected by internet utilization. Women are also more frequently<br> affected at different timespans. Neither retirement, nor excluding possibly impaired individuals<br> change the effect of internet usage.<br> Conclusion: Regardless of the measure applied, cognitive decline is significantly reduced<br> by internet utilization.