Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41715224›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2026

Cognitive impairment among widowed older adults in India: a decomposition analysis of gender gap.

J Mufina Begam, P Padma Sri Lekha, E P Abdul Azeez

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Article in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

J Mufina BegamSchool of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, India.
P Padma Sri LekhaSchool of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, India.
E P Abdul AzeezSchool of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, India. epazeez.phd@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4627-6550

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVarious physiological, psychological, and social changes accompany the process of aging. Widowhood, a significant life event, can profoundly influence the well-being of older adults. The loss of a spouse often leads to emotional distress, social isolation, and increased health risks. Therefore, the present study tried to explore the gender gap using decomposition analysis to understand the influence of duration of widowhood, psychosocial factors, health-related factors, and health behaviours on cognitive impairment among older widows.

methodsThis study utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, focusing on widowed older adults aged 60 and above (N = 7221). We conducted descriptive statistical analysis to understand the characteristics of the samples. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and decomposition analysis were employed.

resultsThe results suggest that being female likely increased the odds of cognitive impairment (OR = 1.77, 99% CI = 1.26 – 2.47). The gender gap was mainly attributed to education level (no schooling; 42.64%), along with depressive symptoms, social participation, and functionality. In addition, the presence of everyday discrimination, depressive symptoms (OR = 1.38, 99% CI = 1.13 – 1.69), and low social participation (OR = 1.72, 99% CI = 1.42 – 2.09) increased the odds of cognitive impairment among widowed older adults.

conclusionThe education level was the major factor in the gender gap in cognitive impairment among widowed older adults in India. The results indicate a need for tailored educational programs to promote lifelong learning among widowed older women.

Indexed as

Cognitive DysfunctionWidowhoodAgedAged, 80 and overAgingDepressionFemaleHumansIndiaLongitudinal StudiesMaleSex FactorsCognitive impairmentGenderHealth factorsOlder adultsWidowhood

Identifiers

PMID41715224
PMCPMC13023169

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