Older adults' concerns about cognitive health

Commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups

Bibliographic Data

ID11201320
AuthorsJames N Laditka (0000-0002-7864-8566, University of North Carolina at Charlotte), Sarah B Laditka (0000-0003-2089-0787, University of North Carolina at Charlotte), Rui Liu (0000-0002-1489-731X, National Institutes of Health), ANNA E PRICE (0000-0002-4816-7171, Furman University), Bei Wu (0000-0002-6891-244X, University of North Carolina at Greensboro), Daniela B Friedman (0000-0002-9359-093X, University of South Carolina), SARA J CORWIN (University of South Carolina), Joseph R Sharkey (Mitchell Institute), Winston Tseng (0000-0002-4912-6881, University of California, Berkeley), REBECCA HUNTER (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), REBECCA G LOGSDON (University of Washington)
Year2011
Volume31
Issue7
Pages1202-1228
Publication date2011-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x10001273
OpenAlexW2106357230
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited40

We studied concerns about cognitive health among ethnically diverse groups of older adults. The study was grounded in theories of health behaviour and the representation of health and illness. We conducted 42 focus groups (N=396, ages 50+) in four languages, with African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, Whites other than Latinos (hereafter, Whites) and Vietnamese Americans, in nine United States locations. Participants discussed concerns about keeping their memory or ability to think as they age. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Constant comparison methods identified themes. In findings, all ethnic groups expressed concern and fear about memory loss, losing independence, and becoming ‘a burden’. Knowing someone with Alzheimer's disease increased concern. American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos and Vietnamese Americans expected memory loss. American Indians, Chinese Americans and Vietnamese Americans were concerned about stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease. Only African Americans, Chinese and Whites expressed concern about genetic risks. Only African Americans and Whites expressed concern about behaviour changes. Although we asked participants for their thoughts about their ability to think as they age, they focused almost exclusively on memory. This suggests that health education promoting cognitive health should focus on memory, but should also educate the public about the importance of maintaining all aspects of cognitive health

Chinese americans · Cognition · Cognitive decline · Dementia · Developmental psychology · Disease · Ethnic group · Focus group · Health and Retirement Study · Psychiatry · Sociology · Stigma (botany) · Vietnamese · Aging and Gerontology Research · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology