Longitudinal regimes of arts and cultural engagement and frailty among older adults in the United States: a g-formula approach
May 5th, 2026
London, England, United Kingdom
This study examines how long-term arts and cultural engagement relates to frailty among older adults in the United States. Using data from 3,775 adults over 13 years, the researchers found that sustained engagement in cultural activities, such as concerts, movies, and museums, was associated with lower frailty later in life.
The Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbag080
Posted byGrace McKinstry
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Abstract/Description
Objectives: A growing body of evidence links arts and cultural engagement (ACEng) with various health outcomes, however, its longitudinal relationship with frailty as a multidimensional clinical syndrome remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the dynamic nature of ACEng and its impact on frailty, addressing critical methodological challenges.
Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from 3,775 older adults (aged 50+) in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (2005–2018). ACEng was measured as receptive cultural events (e.g., concerts, movies, museums) and two participatory activities, including (1) singing or playing a musical instrument (2) doing arts and crafts. Frailty was assessed using a 50-item frailty index covering nine health domains. Data were analyzed using the g-formula approach.
Results: ACEng was highly dynamic, particularly for receptive activities. Late and sustained engagements across three ACEng activities were associated with lower levels of frailty at follow-up. However, most of these effects were sensitive to adjustments of time-varying frailty, except for sustained engagement in cultural events. This sustained exposure was associated with a 0.35-point lower frailty compared to the never exposed (95% confidence interval: −0.53 to −0.17, p
Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from 3,775 older adults (aged 50+) in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (2005–2018). ACEng was measured as receptive cultural events (e.g., concerts, movies, museums) and two participatory activities, including (1) singing or playing a musical instrument (2) doing arts and crafts. Frailty was assessed using a 50-item frailty index covering nine health domains. Data were analyzed using the g-formula approach.
Results: ACEng was highly dynamic, particularly for receptive activities. Late and sustained engagements across three ACEng activities were associated with lower levels of frailty at follow-up. However, most of these effects were sensitive to adjustments of time-varying frailty, except for sustained engagement in cultural events. This sustained exposure was associated with a 0.35-point lower frailty compared to the never exposed (95% confidence interval: −0.53 to −0.17, p
