Investigating the Relationship Between Marital Status and Ethnicity on Neurocognitive Functioning in a Rural Older Population: A Project FRONTIER Study

Author:

Singer Jonathan12ORCID,Rerick Peter3ORCID,Elliott Lauren1ORCID,Fadalla Carol1ORCID,McLean Elisabeth1ORCID,Jump Alayna1ORCID,Molinar-Lopez Veronica4,Neugebauer Volker56ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Psychological Science, Texas Tech University , Lubbock, Texas , USA

2. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center , Seattle, Washington , USA

3. Department of Psychology, Oklahoma City University , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , USA

4. Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center , Lubbock, Texas , USA

5. Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center , Lubbock, Texas , USA

6. Health Sciences Center, Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center , Lubbock, Texas , USA

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Research indicates being married is related to better physical and psychological health. Little is known regarding the relationship between marital status and neurocognitive functioning and whether it differs based on ethnicity (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic). This is the first study to examine this relationship in a sample of aging adults in rural Texas. Methods Data from 1,864 participants (Mage = 59.68, standard deviation [SD]age = 12.21), who were mostly Hispanic (n = 1,053), women (n = 1,295), and married (n = 1,125) from Project Facing Rural Obstacles to Healthcare Now Through Intervention, Education, & Research were analyzed. Neuropsychological testing comprised Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Trails Making Test, and Clock Drawing. Participants were dichotomized, married, and unmarried. Results There was a significant interaction between Hispanic identity and marital status on overall neurocognitive functioning (F(1, 1,480) = 4.79, p < .05, ηp2 = 0.003). For non-Hispanic individuals, married individuals had higher overall neurocognitive functioning compared to unmarried individuals, whereas neurocognitive functioning for Hispanic individuals did not significantly differ between married and unmarried individuals. There were significant main effects as married individuals (M = 84.95, SD = 15.56) had greater overall neurocognitive functioning than unmarried individuals (M = 83.47, SD = 15.86; F(1, 1,480) = 14.67, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.01), Hispanic individuals (M = 78.02, SD = 14.25) had lower overall neurocognitive functioning than non-Hispanic individuals (M = 91.43, SD = 15.07; F(1, 1,480) = 284.99, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.16). Discussion Hispanics living in rural areas experience additional stressors that could lead to worse neurocognitive functioning, which is supported by the Lifespan Biopsychosocial Model of Cumulative Vulnerability and Minority Health, which postulates that race/ethnicity/socioeconomic-status-related stressors exacerbate the impact of other life stressors. Reduction of stress on rural Hispanics should be a priority as it could positively affect their neurocognitive functioning.

Funder

Garrison Family Foundation

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Geriatrics and Gerontology,Gerontology,Clinical Psychology,Social Psychology

Reference60 articles.

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4. The graying of divorce: A half century of change;Brown,2022

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