Perceived discrimination: Associations with physical and cognitive function in older adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Perceived discrimination is linked to adverse health outcomes.
• Research on discrimination's impact on older adults' health is limited.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for healthy aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine longitudinal associations between everyday discrimination and physical/cognitive function in older adults.
• To extend research on discrimination's health effects in later life.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a national sample of 4,886 community-dwelling adults aged 60+ from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
• Assessed perceived everyday discrimination and measured cognitive (recall, verbal fluency) and physical (gait speed) functioning at baseline and follow-up.
• Employed multiple regression analyses, controlling for sociodemographic and health status variables.

Main Results:

• 39.3% of older adults reported experiencing discrimination at least a few times annually.
• Higher baseline discrimination was associated with poorer cognitive recall and slower gait speed at follow-up.
• No significant association was found between discrimination and verbal fluency.

Conclusions:

• Everyday discrimination is prevalent among older adults.
• Discrimination is associated with poorer physical and cognitive functioning in later life.
• Interventions addressing discrimination may support functional maintenance in aging populations.