BGSU research finds clear link between children's education level and parents' risk of dementia

Lower education levels in children linked to increased risk of dementia onset in parents

By Branden Ferguson

The cognitive decline of older adults often has been researched on an individual basis, examining a patient's activity levels, mental stimulation and prior health factors.

However, Bowling Green State University researchers are studying the issue from a social perspective and have found a correlation between older adults' cognitive decline and their adult child's educational levels. They found older adults whose children did not graduate from high school experienced early cognitive decline, whereas older parents whose children completed college were less likely to experience the onset of dementia.

With funding from the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Jenjira Yahirun's research spans nearly a decade, beginning before she arrived at BGSU. 

"One of the biggest reasons I came to BGSU was to work with students and to get them involved in my projects," Yahirun said. "Having NIH-funded research allows us to train and prepare students for their future careers and give them a leg up when they enter the job market."

An associate professor of sociology, Yahirun uses publicly funded, nationally representative data sets. Together with her students, she has found that when a child has less than a high school education, their parents' cognitive health suffers severely. On the other hand, parents with college-educated children are often protected from this decline.

"We often look at children and realize how much their social environments influence them," said Yahirun. "All of that is shaped by their home environment, school environment and parents' resources. We tend to forget that when we're older, our health continues to be shaped by the people around us — typically our children."

Research shows that even having one child who did not complete high school was a significant risk factor for parents. Data suggests that not completing high school was not simply the inverse of educational advantage but a "distinct stressor."

If a parent had multiple children without a high school diploma, the risk of cognitive decline increased. However, research shows that a sibling's success doesn't fully compensate. 

"While having a highly educated child can be beneficial, it doesn't entirely offset the increased risk associated with having another child who did not complete high school," Yahirun said. "Furthermore, research suggests that when all children obtain a high school diploma, parents see positive effects if their children become college-educated."

Yahirun believes the BGSU sociology department's strong reputation stems from faculty members' commitment to research. As a student, Zoe Fiddelke, of Manson, Iowa, took advantage of the research opportunities, joining Yahirun in her study.

"Taking part in undergraduate research has taught me how to research a topic and write research papers, present and defend my findings and think like a social scientist," Fiddelke said. "These invaluable skills will help me in my future career.

"As the U.S. tries to grapple with an ever-aging population, Dr. Yahirun's research can help provide insight into how we view care for older adults in the U.S."

While the study demonstrates a correlation between a child's education level and their parents' risk of cognitive decline, Yahirun said it doesn't necessarily prove causation. While the link is strong, she believes further research is needed to understand the mechanisms at play.