Stites Shana D, Kuz Carolyn, Halberstadter Kimberly, Humphreys Valerie, Cousins Katheryn A Q, Mechanic-Hamilton Dawn
Neurodegener Dis. 2025 Jun 25:1-17. doi: 10.1159/000547115.
This study assesses the influence of normative gender effects on cognitive outcomes of cognitively unimpaired older adults. The results help to understand how sex/gender identity operates as a structural determinant of AD outcomes and informs future research that is more inclusive of gender diverse identities.
We analyze data from 216 adults aged 65 and older who completed survey questions from the Aging Gender Index (AGI), which pertain to often gendered experiences of American men and women, which relate to education, employment experiences, and relationship characteristics. The participants also completed cognitive testing. We conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses, which statistically adjusted for age, education, and race.
In multivariable analyses, being full-time employed or partially retired rather than full-time retired or part-time employed is associated with lower memory and learning scores (β=-0.29 95%CI -0.56 to -0.01). Fewer years out of the work force to raise children was associated with higher language scores (β=0.14, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.25). While not being a veteran versus being a veteran was associated with lower language scores (β=-0.27, 95%CI -0.51 to -0.02).
The results of this study show how workforce and other economic experiences, which tend to vary by gender, may associate with some cognitive outcomes. Research is warranted to replicate the findings and build upon this method of inquiry.
本研究评估了规范性别的影响对认知功能未受损的老年人认知结果的作用。这些结果有助于理解性别认同如何作为阿尔茨海默病结果的结构决定因素发挥作用，并为未来更具包容性的性别多样化身份研究提供信息。
我们分析了216名65岁及以上成年人的数据，他们完成了来自衰老性别指数（AGI）的调查问卷，这些问题涉及美国男性和女性常见的性别化经历，与教育、就业经历和关系特征有关。参与者还完成了认知测试。我们进行了双变量和多变量分析，并对年龄、教育程度和种族进行了统计调整。
在多变量分析中，全职工作或部分退休而非全职退休或兼职工作与较低的记忆和学习得分相关（β=-0.29，95%置信区间-0.56至-0.01）。抚养孩子期间脱离劳动力市场的时间较短与较高的语言得分相关（β=0.14，95%置信区间0.03至0.25）。非退伍军人与退伍军人相比与较低的语言得分相关（β=-0.27，95%置信区间-0.51至-0.02）。
本研究结果表明，劳动力市场及其他经济经历（这些经历往往因性别而异）可能与某些认知结果相关。有必要进行研究以重复这些发现并在此研究方法的基础上进一步开展研究。
