Employment Status and Later Life Cognitive Functioning: A Gendered Perspective on the Moderating Role of the Social Network

Gender disparities in later life cognition call for a deeper understanding of how social determinants interact to shape cognitive outcomes. This study investigates the gendered moderating role of the social network in the association between employment status (employed, retired, homemaker, unemployed) and cognitive functioning (episodic memory, verbal fluency) among adults aged 50+ in Europe. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE; waves 4 (2011-2012), 6 (2015-2016), 8 (2019-2020)), we apply linear multilevel models stratified by gender, with episodic memory and verbal fluency as outcomes (N = 145,107). Results indicate that a stronger social network may buffer negative effects of non-employment on episodic memory for women, whereas for men, benefits are primarily indicated at lower social network strength levels. Our findings highlight gender-specific cognitive advantages of social networks, suggesting that gender should be considered a structural factor, not merely a demographic characteristic, in studies of cognitive aging.