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Psychosocial Pathways to Racial/Ethnic Inequalities in Late-Life Memory Trajectories

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  • Laura B ZahodnePhD
  • Ketlyne SolPhD
  • Zarina KraalMS

Abstract

ObjectivesBlacks and Hispanics are at increased risk for dementia, even after socioeconomic and vascular factors are taken into account. This study tests a comprehensive model of psychosocial pathways leading to differences in longitudinal cognitive outcomes among older blacks and Hispanics, compared to non-Hispanic whites.MethodsUsing data from 10,173 participants aged 65 and older in the Health and Retirement Study, structural equation models tested associations among race/ethnicity, perceived discrimination, depressive symptoms, external locus of control, and 6-year memory trajectories, controlling for age, sex, educational attainment, income, wealth, and chronic diseases.ResultsGreater perceived discrimination among blacks was associated with lower initial memory level via depressive symptoms and external locus of control, and with faster memory decline directly. Greater depressive symptoms and external locus of control among Hispanics were each independently associated with lower initial memory, but there were no pathways from Hispanic ethnicity to memory decline.DiscussionDepression and external locus of control partially mediate racial/ethnic differences in memory trajectories. Perceived discrimination is a major driver of these psychosocial pathways for blacks, but not Hispanics. These results can inform the development of policies and interventions to reduce cognitive morbidity among racially/ethnically diverse older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura B ZahodnePhD & Ketlyne SolPhD & Zarina KraalMS, 2019. "Psychosocial Pathways to Racial/Ethnic Inequalities in Late-Life Memory Trajectories," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 74(3), pages 409-418.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:74:y:2019:i:3:p:409-418.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbx113
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Chelsea & Murchland, Audrey R. & VanderWeele, Tyler J. & Blacker, Deborah, 2022. "Eliminating racial disparities in dementia risk by equalizing education quality: A sensitivity analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    2. Muñoz, Elizabeth & Robins, Richard W. & Sutin, Angelina R., 2022. "Perceived ethnic discrimination and cognitive function: A 12-year longitudinal study of Mexican-origin adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    3. Zahodne, Laura B. & Sharifian, Neika & Kraal, A. Zarina & Morris, Emily P. & Sol, Ketlyne & Zaheed, Afsara B. & Meister, Lindsey & Mayeux, Richard & Schupf, Nicole & Manly, Jennifer J. & Brickman, Ada, 2023. "Longitudinal associations between racial discrimination and hippocampal and white matter hyperintensity volumes among older Black adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    4. McDonough, Ian M. & Byrd, DeAnnah R. & Choi, Shinae L., 2023. "Resilience resources may buffer some middle-aged and older Black Americans from memory decline despite experiencing discrimination," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).

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