Neuropsychological Test Performance Among Caribbean-born and U.S.-born African American Elderly: The Role of Age, Education and Reading Level

Abstract

Within-group variation is an important yet under-studied component of cross-cultural neuropsychology. The current study explored this potential source of variation in a neurologically healthy African American elderly sample by comparing the neuropsychological test performance of nondemented groups of Caribbean-born and U.S.-born African American elders who live in New York City. Caribbean-born elders resided in the U.S. for a mean of 41.5 years (SD = 17.0). Results indicate that in general, Caribbean-born elders in this cohort did not demonstrate a unique cognitive testing profile from U.S.-born African American elders. However, the Caribbean-born group demonstrated a higher quality of education than their U.S.-born counterparts. The influence of demographic factors (i.e., age and education) on neuropsychological test performance was markedly attenuated in Caribbean-born elders though reading level was the strongest predictor of test performance for all elders, regardless of birthplace.

Notes

Baird, R., Mindt, M., Ryan, E., Monzones, J., Naseer, M., & Morgello, S., (2004). The utility of norms based on education versus reading ability in the prediction of functional impairment in HIV-infection. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society, Baltimore, MD

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United States Bureau of the Census (2000) Public Use Micro-Sample 2000 Census: Bureau of the Census, US Department of Commerce