ABSTRACT

Subjective socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to influence both psychological and biological outcomes. However, less is known about whether its influence extends to cognitive outcomes. We examined the relation between subjective SES and executive functions (EF)—a set of cognitive control processes—and its underlying mechanisms. By analyzing a nationally representative cohort of middle-aged and older adults (age 40–80) from the MIDUS 2 National Survey and Cognitive Project, we tested a serial mediation model with sense of control and health as sequential mediators. Using structural equation modeling, we found that subjective SES is indirectly related to EF via sense of control and health, above and beyond objective SES and other key covariates. Our study highlights one of the possible biopsychosocial mechanisms that underlies the relation between status-related subjective perceptions of inequalities and executive functioning skills in middle and late adulthood.

摘要

主观社会经济地位 (SES) 已被证明会影响心理和生物结果。然而，关于它的影响是否延伸到认知结果知之甚少。我们研究了主观 SES 与执行功能 (EF)（一组认知控制过程）及其潜在机制之间的关系。通过分析来自 MIDUS 2 全国调查和认知项目的具有全国代表性的中年和老年人（40-80 岁）队列，我们​​测试了一个以控制感和健康作为连续中介的连续中介模型。使用结构方程模型，我们发现主观 SES 通过控制感和健康与 EF 间接相关，高于客观 SES 和其他关键协变量。