Family Members’ Education and Cognitive Functioning among Older Individuals in the U.S.: Investigating the Mediating Role of Health Behaviors

Abstract This study examined the effects of education of family members in the United States, specifically parents and adult children’s generations, on the cognitive function of older individuals. It further explores the potential mediating roles of smoking, physical activity, and drinking alcohol in this relationship. We used the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2020) ( N = 10,610). Logistic and generalized linear model regression analyses were employed to evaluate the impact of multigenerational educational attainment, specifically that of parents and adult children, on the cognitive function of older individuals. We find that higher familial educational attainment was associated with higher cognitive performance of older individuals independent of their own education; the education of both adult children and adult parents were associated with better cognitive function. Moderate drinking partially mediated the effect of multigenerational education and cognitive function. Smoking and physical activity were not significant mediators. This study highlights the significant role of multigenerational educational attainment in shaping cognitive health among older individuals in the United States. Parental and adult children’s education were both associated with better cognitive outcomes. The findings supports both the long-arm and the social foreground perspectives. These results emphasize the importance of understanding family-level influences on cognitive function. Further, as we see increasing educational levels across generations in many countries, there are implications for cognitive health.