Psychiatric history and later-life cognitive change: effect modification by sex, race and ethnicity.

TitlePsychiatric history and later-life cognitive change: effect modification by sex, race and ethnicity.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsBrown, MT, Mutambudzi, M
JournalAging & Mental Health
ISSN Number1364-6915
KeywordsCognitive decline, Disparities, Mental Health, social determinants, Trajectories
Abstract

We explored associations between psychiatric history and cognitive functioning, and differences by sex and race/ethnicity (SRE) in 20,155 Health and Retirement Study (1995-2014) participants aged 65 or older. Multi-level growth curve models examined cognition scores and their trajectories over time by SRE. A history of psychiatric, emotional, or nervous problems was significantly related to cognition scores and rates of decline. Hispanic and Black participants had significantly lower cognition scores at age 75 and steeper rates of decline than White females, and Black race and the Hispanic race/ethnicity-sex interaction erased the protective effects of being female. Future research should include specific psychiatric diagnoses. Population level findings as reported here, along with aggregate findings from similar studies, can inform interventions and policies regarding support for populations that are vulnerable to mental illness and to subsequent cognitive decline.

DOI10.1080/13607863.2022.2116398
Citation Key12641
PubMed ID36016466