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Black and white men at risk for memory impairment
Graham J McDougall1, Ezra C Holston
1School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 78701, USA. gmcdougall@mail.nur.utexas.edu
Nursing Research
|January 29, 2003
Summary
Black and White men aged 70+ showed no differences in memory performance. However, Black men reported higher memory anxiety and lower confidence compared to White men.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Underrepresentation of Black individuals in government-funded research.
- Higher morbidity and mortality rates observed in Black populations compared to White populations in the U.S.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare memory performance between Black and White men aged 70 years and older.
- To explore potential differences in subjective memory experiences and related factors.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 69 healthy men (24 Black, 45 White) aged 70+ participated.
- Participants resided in either private homes or subsidized high-rise apartments.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in objective memory performance between Black and White men.
- Black men exhibited higher memory-related anxiety, utilized fewer memory strategies, and reported lower confidence and understanding of their everyday memory.
- A higher percentage of Black men (35%) were at risk for depression compared to White men (10%). White men were more likely to be married and live with a spouse.
Conclusions:
- Objective memory performance was comparable between Black and White men in this age group.
- Subjective aspects of memory evaluation, including anxiety and confidence, differed significantly between the two groups.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering psychological and social factors in memory assessment within diverse aging populations.