Sense of Control Mediates the Relation between Discrimination and Executive Functions in Middle-Aged and Older
Wee Qin Ng1, Gilaine Rui Ng1, Hwajin Yang1
1School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore.
Background:
Despite previous findings of a negative association between everyday discrimination and executive functions (EF) - a set of domain-general cognitive control processes - in middle-aged and older adults, less is known about the underlying mechanism. Thus, we focused on sense on control and its two facets - perceived constraints and personal mastery - as potential psychosocial mediators of this relation.
Methods:
By analyzing a nationally representative adult cohort from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) 2 study, we examined two mediational models: a single mediation model with sense of control and a parallel mediation model with perceived constraints and personal mastery as mediators.
Results:
Structural equation modeling analyses showed that sense of control, as well as personal mastery and perceived constraints, mediated the relationship between discrimination and EF in middle-aged and older adults. This held true when we controlled for age, race, gender, education, and health status.
Conclusion:
Our findings underscore the unique and distinctive roles of sense of control and its two facets in the relation between everyday discrimination and EF in middle-aged and older adults.
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