Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Gerontologist. 2020 Feb 24;60(2):250-258. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnz134.
In response to the dearth of information on cognitive health in older ethnic minorities, in the present study, we examined factors associated with self-rated cognitive health (SRCH) in older Korean Americans. Drawing from the World Health Organization's framework of social determinants of health, we examined how a broad spectrum of factors might influence the way in which older Korean Americans perceive and evaluate their own cognitive health.
Using data from the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA; N = 2,061, mean age = 73.2), a series of hierarchical linear regression models of SRCH was tested with sequential entry of predictors: (1) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of cognitive status, (2) demographic variables, (3) physical and mental health status, (4) health behaviors, and (5) socio-cultural and community factors.
In addition to cognitive screening outcomes, each set of variables made a significant contribution to the predictive model of SRCH. Positive ratings of cognitive health were observed among older individuals with greater education, good physical and mental health, involvement in regular exercise, and socio-cultural resources (social networks, acculturation, and family solidarity).
The SRCH of older adults goes beyond cognitive screening outcomes, suggesting a need to incorporate the various sources of social determinants when seeking to promote the cognitive health of older populations.
针对少数民族老年人认知健康信息匮乏的问题，本研究考察了影响老年韩裔美国人自评认知健康（SRCH）的因素。本研究借鉴世界卫生组织（WHO）健康社会决定因素框架，探讨了广泛的因素如何影响老年韩裔美国人感知和评估自身认知健康的方式。
本研究使用了《老年韩裔美国人研究》（SOKA；N=2061，平均年龄=73.2 岁）的数据，采用逐步纳入预测因子的方法，对 SRCH 进行了一系列分层线性回归模型检验：（1）认知状态的简易精神状态检查（MMSE）评分，（2）人口统计学变量，（3）身心健康状况，（4）健康行为，（5）社会文化和社区因素。
除认知筛查结果外，每一组变量都对 SRCH 的预测模型做出了重要贡献。在受教育程度较高、身心健康状况良好、经常参加锻炼以及具有社会文化资源（社交网络、文化融合和家庭团结）的老年人中，认知健康的评分较高。
老年人的 SRCH 不仅仅取决于认知筛查结果，这表明在寻求促进老年人群认知健康时，需要整合各种社会决定因素的来源。
