Social participation and cognitive health in older adults : A scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To synthesize evidence on the association between social participation and cognitive health in older adults. Methods: A scoping review was conducted including 13 studies published between 2014 and 2025, with a combined sample of more than 101.595 participants in total across diverse cultural contexts. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS. Studies involving adults ≥60 years assessing social participation and cognitive outcomes were included. Results: Social participation was consistently associated with better cognitive performance, particularly in episodic memory, attention, executive function, and verbal fluency. Most studies reported important direct associations (β from 0.12 to 1.9). Mechanistic pathways included stimulation of neuroplasticity, stress regulation via neuroendocrine modulation, enhancement of emotional regulation, and reinforcement of personal and group identity. Social participation also buffered against depressive symptoms, loneliness, and functional decline, and contributed to structural and functional brain preservation. Although most studies were observational, converging evidence indicates that social participation is a modifiable factor linked to reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Cross-cultural heterogeneity highlights the need for strategies tailored to cultural and contextual factors in aging populations. Conclusion: Social participation should be considered an integral element of preventive and therapeutic approaches for cognitive health. Group-based interventions, including community programs, volunteering, cultural or religious activities, and intergenerational initiatives, show promise. Future longitudinal and multimodal research is needed to clarify causal mechanisms and guide the integration of social participation into evidence-based frameworks for healthy aging.