Objectives:This article assesses the effects of educational attainment, posteducational training experience, and occupational status on cognitive function among older men, controlling for demographic and health factors. Conditional relationships between educational attainment and factors that importantly influence cognitive function are also investigated. Methods:Data from a nationally representative sample of 1,839 older men are used to explore life-course effects of occupational and training experiences during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Results:A positive relationship is found between formal educational attainment and cognitive function, but this association is conditional on subsequent training experience, ethnicity, and symptoms of depression. Training experiences are also positively associated with cognitive function. Discussion:Continued pursuit of education and training may offer opportunities to promote cognitive function throughout the life course, especially among those with low educational attainment early in life.
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