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Perceived everyday discrimination and its effect on cognitive function through depression in diverse populations: A
Edna Patricia Mendoza1, Emma Nolan2,3, Nicole Phillips4,5
1Department of Population and Community Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|November 18, 2025
Summary
Perceived discrimination impacts cognitive function, with depression acting as a mediator for Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites. This pathway was not observed in Non-Hispanic Blacks, highlighting potential cognitive health disparities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous studies link perceived discrimination to cognitive impairment.
- Depression is identified as a potential mediator in this relationship.
- Understanding these links across different racial and ethnic groups is crucial for health equity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine and compare the relationships between perceived everyday discrimination and cognitive function.
- To investigate the mediating role of depression in these associations.
- To stratify analyses by race/ethnicity: Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), Hispanics, and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW).
Main Methods:
- Utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data.
- Included 1267 participants from the Health and Aging Brain Study - Health Disparities cohort.
- Stratified analyses by race/ethnicity (NHB: 685, Hispanics: 302, NHW: 280).
Main Results:
- Depression fully mediated the association between perceived discrimination and cognitive function in Hispanics and NHW.
- A positive association was found between perceived discrimination and depression across all groups.
- A negative association between depression and cognitive function was observed in all groups except NHB.
Conclusions:
- Depression mediates the discrimination-cognition link for Hispanics and NHW, but not for NHB.
- Findings suggest unique pathways influencing cognitive health in NHB.
- Highlights the need for research into Alzheimer's disease and cognitive health disparities in minority populations.
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