Journal article
Is Living in an Ethnic Enclave Associated With Cognitive Function? Results From the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE) in Chicago
The Gerontologist, Vol.62(5), pp.662-673
05/26/2022
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnab158
PMCID: PMC9154265
PMID: 34718562
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Ethnic enclaves provide pivotal coping resources for immigrants, having important implications for cognitive health. This study examined the association between living in an ethnic enclave (i.e., Chinatown) and cognition, and potential moderating effect of education on such an association among Chinese older immigrants in the United States. We further examined subgroup differences based on preferred language (Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taishanese).
Research Designs and Methods
Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (N = 3,105, mean age = 73). Global cognition, assessed by a battery including Mini-Mental State Examination, working memory, episodic memory, and executive function, was compared between those who lived in Chinatown (n = 1,870) and those who did not (n = 1,235). Linear regressions with interaction terms were performed in the entire sample and subsamples with different language preferences.
Results
Chinatown residents had significantly poorer cognition than non-Chinatown residents. Regression results identified both protective and risk factors for cognition associated with living in Chinatown. Among them, education (β = 0.072, p < .001) played a salient role in explaining the cognitive disadvantage of Chinatown residents. Education also moderated the influence of Chinatown residence on cognition, but only among Mandarin speakers (β = −0.027, p = .04).
Discussion and Implications
Living in an ethnic enclave may be a risk factor for poor cognition for Chinese immigrants. Neighborhood-specific health assessment may facilitate early identification and prevention of cognitive impairment in this population. Studies need to examine divergent aging experiences of immigrants within single ethnic groups.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Is Living in an Ethnic Enclave Associated With Cognitive Function? Results From the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE) in Chicago
- Creators
- Man Guo - University of IowaYi Wang - University of IowaHanzhang Xu - Duke University School of MedicineMengting Li - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyBei Wu - New York UniversityXinqi Dong - Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Gerontologist, Vol.62(5), pp.662-673
- DOI
- 10.1093/geront/gnab158
- PMID
- 34718562
- PMCID
- PMC9154265
- NLM abbreviation
- Gerontologist
- ISSN
- 0016-9013
- eISSN
- 1758-5341
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000049, name: National Institute on Aging, award: R21AG055804; DOI: 10.13039/100006545, name: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, award: U54MD012530; name: Rutgers University Asian Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research, award: P30-AG059304
- Alternative title
- Special Issue: Social Determinants of Health in the Context of Race and Age
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/26/2022
- Academic Unit
- School of Social Work
- Record Identifier
- 9984307259402771
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