Knowledge of Normal and Pathological Memory Aging in College Students, Social Workers, and Health Care Professionals

Abstract

The Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire (KMAQ) measures laypersons' knowledge of normal memory changes and pathological memory deficits in adulthood. In Experiment 1, undergraduate and graduate social work students and social work practitioners completed the KMAQ. Social workers and graduate students were more accurate on the pathological than normal memory aging items, but undergraduate students' knowledge did not differ by question type. Experiment 2 was a conceptual replication where the same pattern of outcomes was obtained using a more heterogeneous sample to increase the ecological validity of the findings. Results confirmed that nonmedical and medical staff at an assisted living facility and health care professionals were more accurate on the pathological than normal memory aging items. Community college and university students' accuracy was similar across question type. Implications for research and the design of education programs to increase awareness of normal and pathological memory deficits in late life are considered.

This research was supported by a grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents through the Millennium Trust Health Excellence Fund [HEF(2001-06)-02] the National Institute of Aging 1-P01 AG022064. This support is gratefully acknowledged.

We are grateful to Drs. William Archambeault and Michelle Livermore for their assistance with data collection in Experiment 1. We thank Dr. Ashley Reich for her help with data collection at the Baton Rouge Community College in Experiment 2. We also thank Serena Lacour and Julie Bayham of St. James Place Continuing Care Retirement Community for their assistance with recruiting research volunteers in Experiment 2. We thank Shay Randle, Emily Smitherman, Mary Robichaux, and Brittany Ostarly for their help with the research effort.

Notes

Notes. Undergraduate and graduate students in Experiment 1 were enrolled in courses in the School of Social Work at Louisiana State University. Social worker practitioners were attending an in-service training on coping and burnout held at a local mental health services facility. Undergraduate students in Experiment 2 were enrolled in psychology courses at the Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) and Louisiana State University. Nonmedical and medical staff members were employed at a local CCRC. Health care professionals were attending a lecture on cognition and medication compliance for continuing education credits.

^a Education. Participants' educational attainment on the following scale: 1 = less than 12th grade, 2 = high school diploma or GED equivalent, 3 = associate's degree or equivalent training, 4 = bachelor's degree or RN diploma, 5 = master's degree, 6 = doctorate.