Off-campus WSU users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your WSU access ID and password, then click the "Off-campus Download" button below.

Non-WSU users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.

Access Type

WSU Access

Date of Award

January 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Lisa J. Rapport

Second Advisor

Peter A. Lichtenberg

Abstract

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), which is projected to more than double in prevalence by 2060. Rates of SCD and ADRD are especially pronounced in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) Americans when compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). Therefore, this study is focused on understanding how risk factors for ADRD predispose racial/ethnic (R/E) minorities for SCD and SCD-related functional limitations. Using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, I examined risk factors for SCD and SCD-related outcomes in NHBs, NHWs, and Hispanics. Overall, there were higher rates of SCD-related functional limitations in the overall sample and a subsample of individuals with SCD and vascular conditions. Additionally, I found that NHBs and Hispanics were more likely than NHWs to belong to more severe SCD-related latent classes. My findings point to the need for policy changes regarding the availability of protective factors, such as education, safe housing, health insurance, etc., especially for more susceptible R/E groups. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between R/E minorities and their healthcare providers to provide insight to the decreased use of healthcare services by R/E minority groups than NHWs.

Download
Off-campus Download

Share

COinS