INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 05 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 02:30 pm - 03:45 pm Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120) Poster Session 05: Neuropsychiatry \| Addiction/Dependence \| Stress/Coping \| Emotional/Social Processes Final Abstract #67 Examining Dimensions of Social Connectedness and Their Contributions to Neurocognitive Functioning in Homeless and Precariously Housed Individuals Audrey Li-Chay-Chung, York University, Toronto, Canada Anna Petersson, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada Allen Thornton, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada William Honer, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Kristina Gicas, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Canada Category: Emotional and Social Processes Keyword 1: social processes Keyword 2: learning Keyword 3: inhibitory control Objective: Dimensions of social connectedness, including larger social network size, high social support, and better relationship quality have been linked to better neurocognitive functioning in older adults. Precariously housed adults experience low social connectedness and elevated rates of neurocognitive impairment relative to their stably housed counterparts, but the role of social connectedness as a possible neurocognitive protective factor has not been examined. Using data from a large sample of adults who are homeless or precariously housed, the aims of this study were to 1) examine cross-sectional associations between different dimensions of social connectedness and neurocognitive functioning, and 2) examine the moderating effects of various clinical risk factors on the relationship between social connectedness and neurocognition. Participants and Methods: Participants were 441 adults who were homeless or precariously housed (Mdn_age= 42, 76% male) in Vancouver, Canada. Multiple linear regression models were constructed for two neurocognitive outcomes measured at baseline: verbal learning (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised [HVLT-R], immediate recall score) and inhibitory control (Stroop colour-word score). Baseline measures of social network size (Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule), frequency of social support (Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviours, global scores), and relationship conflict scores (Maudsley Addiction Profile, friendship and relative conflict scores) were predictors in each model. Clinical risk factors included alcohol dependence, cannabis dependence, stimulant dependence, opioid dependence, psychotic disorder, viral infection, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). All possible interactions between social connectedness predictors and clinical risk factors were examined and significant terms were retained in final models. Age, gender, and years of education were included as covariates. Results: Across the full sample, having a larger social network size was associated with higher verbal learning (b=0.55, p=.001) and inhibitory control (b=0.73, p=.012). Among those without a history of a TBI (n = 223), social network size had a stronger relationship with verbal learning (b=0.57, p=0.027) and inhibitory control (b=0.89, p=.002) compared to those with a history of a TBI. In contrast, across all participants, a higher frequency of social support was associated with poorer verbal learning (b=-0.03, p=.017), but not inhibitory control. Additionally, the negative association between frequency of social support and verbal learning was significant only among those without a history of a TBI (b=-0.03, p<.001). Relationship quality (for friends or relatives) was not significantly associated with neurocognitive outcomes. Conclusions: The relationship between social connectedness and neurocognitive outcomes in homeless and precariously housed adults is multifaceted. Social network size, but not relationship quality, appears to be an important contributor to neurocognitive functioning, though this may be vulnerable to disruption in the context of TBI. The negative association between the frequency of social support and verbal learning performance was unexpected and requires additional exploration. Further investigation should also be led to clarify the protective role of social connectedness with respect to neurocognitive change over time in this vulnerable population at risk for cognitive decline.

Poster

02/15/2024
02:30 pm - 03:45 pm
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)

Poster Session 05: Neuropsychiatry | Addiction/Dependence | Stress/Coping | Emotional/Social Processes

Final Abstract #67

Examining Dimensions of Social Connectedness and Their Contributions to Neurocognitive Functioning in Homeless and Precariously Housed Individuals

Audrey Li-Chay-Chung, York University, Toronto, Canada
Anna Petersson, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
Allen Thornton, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
William Honer, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Kristina Gicas, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Canada

Category: Emotional and Social Processes

Keyword 1: social processes
Keyword 2: learning
Keyword 3: inhibitory control

Objective:

Dimensions of social connectedness, including larger social network size, high social support, and better relationship quality have been linked to better neurocognitive functioning in older adults. Precariously housed adults experience low social connectedness and elevated rates of neurocognitive impairment relative to their stably housed counterparts, but the role of social connectedness as a possible neurocognitive protective factor has not been examined. Using data from a large sample of adults who are homeless or precariously housed, the aims of this study were to 1) examine cross-sectional associations between different dimensions of social connectedness and neurocognitive functioning, and 2) examine the moderating effects of various clinical risk factors on the relationship between social connectedness and neurocognition.

Participants and Methods:

Participants were 441 adults who were homeless or precariously housed (Mdn_age= 42, 76% male) in Vancouver, Canada. Multiple linear regression models were constructed for two neurocognitive outcomes measured at baseline: verbal learning (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised [HVLT-R], immediate recall score) and inhibitory control (Stroop colour-word score). Baseline measures of social network size (Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule), frequency of social support (Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviours, global scores), and relationship conflict scores (Maudsley Addiction Profile, friendship and relative conflict scores) were predictors in each model. Clinical risk factors included alcohol dependence, cannabis dependence, stimulant dependence, opioid dependence, psychotic disorder, viral infection, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). All possible interactions between social connectedness predictors and clinical risk factors were examined and significant terms were retained in final models. Age, gender, and years of education were included as covariates.

Results:

Across the full sample, having a larger social network size was associated with higher verbal learning (b=0.55, p=.001) and inhibitory control (b=0.73, p=.012). Among those without a history of a TBI (n = 223), social network size had a stronger relationship with verbal learning (b=0.57, p=0.027) and inhibitory control (b=0.89, p=.002) compared to those with a history of a TBI. In contrast, across all participants, a higher frequency of social support was associated with poorer verbal learning (b=-0.03, p=.017), but not inhibitory control. Additionally, the negative association between frequency of social support and verbal learning was significant only among those without a history of a TBI (b=-0.03, p<.001). Relationship quality (for friends or relatives) was not significantly associated with neurocognitive outcomes.

Conclusions:

The relationship between social connectedness and neurocognitive outcomes in homeless and precariously housed adults is multifaceted. Social network size, but not relationship quality, appears to be an important contributor to neurocognitive functioning, though this may be vulnerable to disruption in the context of TBI. The negative association between the frequency of social support and verbal learning performance was unexpected and requires additional exploration. Further investigation should also be led to clarify the protective role of social connectedness with respect to neurocognitive change over time in this vulnerable population at risk for cognitive decline.