Social cognition is impaired in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. However, its relationship to social functioning and perceived social support has yet to be explored. Here, we examine how theory of mind (ToM) relates to social functioning in MCI and dementia.

Older adults (cognitively normal = 1272; MCI = 132; dementia = 23) from the PATH Through Life project, a longitudinal, population-based study, were assessed on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), measures of social functioning, and social well-being. The associations between RMET performance, social functioning, and cognitive status were analysed using generalised linear models, adjusting for demographic variables.

Participants with MCI (b=−.52, 95% CI [−.70, −.33]) and dementia (b=−.78, 95% CI [−1.22, −.34]) showed poorer RMET performance than cognitively normal participants. Participants with MCI and dementia reported reduced social network size (b=−.21, 95% CI [−.40, −.02] and b=−.90, 95% CI [−1.38, −.42], respectively) and participants with dementia reported increased loneliness (b = .36, 95% CI [.06, .67]). In dementia, poorer RMET performance was associated with increased loneliness (b=−.07, 95% CI [−.14, −.00]) and a trend for negative interactions with partners (b=−.37, 95% CI [−.74, .00]), but no significant associations were found in MCI.

MCI and dementia were associated with poor self-reported social function. ToM deficits were related to poor social function in dementia but not MCI. Findings highlight the importance of interventions to address social cognitive deficits in persons with dementia and education of support networks to facilitate positive interactions and social well-being.

社会认知在轻度认知障碍 (MCI) 和痴呆症中受损。然而，它与社会功能和感知社会支持的关系还有待探索。在这里，我们研究了心理理论 (ToM) 如何与 MCI 和痴呆症中的社会功能相关。

来自 PATH Through Life 项目的老年人（认知正常 = 1272；MCI = 132；痴呆 = 23）是一项纵向的、以人群为基础的研究，在“眼中读心测试”（RMET）中进行了评估，该测试是衡量社会功能的指标和社会福祉。使用广义线性模型分析 RMET 表现、社会功能和认知状态之间的关联，调整人口统计学变量。

患有 MCI ( b =-.52, 95% CI [-.70, -.33]) 和痴呆症 ( b =-.78, 95% CI [-1.22, -.34]) 的参与者的 RMET 表现比认知能力差正常参与者。患有 MCI 和痴呆的参与者报告社交网络规模减小（分别为b =-.21, 95% CI [-.40, -.02] 和b =-.90, 95% CI [-1.38, -.42]）并且患有痴呆症的参与者报告说孤独感增加（b = .36, 95% CI [.06, .67]）。在痴呆症中，较差的 RMET 表现与孤独感增加有关 ( b =-.07, 95% CI [-.14, -.00]) 和与伴侣消极互动的趋势 ( b =-.37, 95% CI [ −.74, .00]），但在 MCI 中未发现显着关联。

MCI 和痴呆与自我报告的社会功能差有关。ToM 缺陷与痴呆症的社会功能差有关，但与 MCI 无关。研究结果强调了干预措施以解决痴呆症患者的社会认知缺陷和支持网络教育以促进积极互动和社会福祉的重要性。