RELATION BETWEEN COGNITIVE DECLINE AND INTERNET UTILIZATION AMONG ELDERLY

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