Spousal education and cognitive trajectories among Chinese couples: a Longitudinal Actor-Partner Interdependence Model analysis

OBJECTIVES: Although prior research consistently demonstrates a positive association between education and cognitive functioning at the individual level, the role of spousal education in shaping cognitive trajectories is less understood. This study examines the associations between spousal education and cognitive trajectories among middle-aged and older couples in China. METHODS: Drawing on 5 waves (2011-2020) of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we applied Longitudinal Actor-Partner Interdependence modeling to assess whether and how spousal education is associated with cognitive trajectories among 5,816 couples aged 45 and older in China. We further examined 3 potential mediating pathways: household economic resources, health behaviors and status, and social engagement. RESULTS: Higher spousal education was associated with higher baseline cognitive functioning for both spouses, independent of each person's own education. This association was primarily mediated by household economic resources and partially by sleep duration, self-rated health, and social engagement. Spousal education was not significantly associated with the rate of cognitive decline. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that spousal education is linked to baseline cognitive functioning through economic, behavioral, and social pathways, but it is not associated with the rate of cognitive decline. These patterns underscore the importance of dyadic resources for cognitive health in aging Chinese populations.