Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Older adults' concerns about cognitive health: Commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups

Publication ,  Journal Article
Laditka, JN; Laditka, SB; Liu, R; Price, AE; Wu, B; Friedman, DB; Corwin, SJ; Sharkey, JR; Tseng, W; Hunter, R; Logsdon, RG
Published in: Ageing and Society
October 1, 2011

We studied concerns about cognitive health among ethnically diverse groups of older adults. The study was grounded in theories of health behaviour and the representation of health and illness. We conducted 42 focus groups (N=396, ages 50+) in four languages, with African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, Whites other than Latinos (hereafter, Whites) and Vietnamese Americans, in nine United States locations. Participants discussed concerns about keeping their memory or ability to think as they age. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Constant comparison methods identified themes. In findings, all ethnic groups expressed concern and fear about memory loss, losing independence, and becoming a burden. Knowing someone with Alzheimer's disease increased concern. American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos and Vietnamese Americans expected memory loss. American Indians, Chinese Americans and Vietnamese Americans were concerned about stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease. Only African Americans, Chinese and Whites expressed concern about genetic risks. Only African Americans and Whites expressed concern about behaviour changes. Although we asked participants for their thoughts about their ability to think as they age, they focused almost exclusively on memory. This suggests that health education promoting cognitive health should focus on memory, but should also educate the public about the importance of maintaining all aspects of cognitive health. © 2010 Cambridge University Press.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Ageing and Society

DOI

EISSN

1469-1779

ISSN

0144-686X

Publication Date

October 1, 2011

Volume

31

Issue

7

Start / End Page

1202 / 1228

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 52 Psychology
  • 44 Human society
  • 35 Commerce, management, tourism and services
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Laditka, J. N., Laditka, S. B., Liu, R., Price, A. E., Wu, B., Friedman, D. B., … Logsdon, R. G. (2011). Older adults' concerns about cognitive health: Commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups. Ageing and Society, 31(7), 1202–1228. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X10001273
Laditka, J. N., S. B. Laditka, R. Liu, A. E. Price, B. Wu, D. B. Friedman, S. J. Corwin, et al. “Older adults' concerns about cognitive health: Commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups.” Ageing and Society 31, no. 7 (October 1, 2011): 1202–28. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X10001273.
Laditka JN, Laditka SB, Liu R, Price AE, Wu B, Friedman DB, et al. Older adults' concerns about cognitive health: Commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups. Ageing and Society. 2011 Oct 1;31(7):1202–28.
Laditka, J. N., et al. “Older adults' concerns about cognitive health: Commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups.” Ageing and Society, vol. 31, no. 7, Oct. 2011, pp. 1202–28. Scopus, doi:10.1017/S0144686X10001273.
Laditka JN, Laditka SB, Liu R, Price AE, Wu B, Friedman DB, Corwin SJ, Sharkey JR, Tseng W, Hunter R, Logsdon RG. Older adults' concerns about cognitive health: Commonalities and differences among six United States ethnic groups. Ageing and Society. 2011 Oct 1;31(7):1202–1228.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ageing and Society

DOI

EISSN

1469-1779

ISSN

0144-686X

Publication Date

October 1, 2011

Volume

31

Issue

7

Start / End Page

1202 / 1228

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 52 Psychology
  • 44 Human society
  • 35 Commerce, management, tourism and services
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services