This study examines the influence of social circumstances early in
life on changes in cognitive function from young adulthood to middleage
and explores the impact of birth characteristics, childhood leisure
activities, education and adult social class on the relationship. The sample
comprised 2,486 Danish men with assessment of cognitive function
at ages 12, 18, and 57. Having a father from working class at birth
was associated with lower cognitive function at age 12, 18 and 57 years.
The latter relation was attenuated but remained significant when educational
status at age 18 and adult social class were adjusted for, while
birth characteristics and childhood leisure activity had minor influence.
Having an unskilled father at birth, low education, few intellectual and
many social leisure activities in childhood as well as low adult social
class were associated with change in cognitive function.