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The Beneficial, Formative Role of Lifetime Exposures across Cognitive Domains in Barbados Using Data from the SABE Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2024

Jason Steffener ,
Joanne Nicholls ,
Shireen Farghal  and
Dylan Franklin
Jason Steffener*
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary School of Health Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Joanne Nicholls
Affiliation:
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Shireen Farghal
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary School of Health Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Dylan Franklin
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
*
Corresponding author: La correspondance et les demandes de tirésàpart doivent être adressées à : / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Jason Steffener, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 200 Lees, Lees Campus, Office # E250E, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S9, Canada ([email protected]).
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Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that within older Barbadian adults, sex, education, and occupation type lessen age-related cognitive decline. The analyses used a cross-sectional data set from 1325 people collected in the 2006 SABE Study (Health, Well-being, and Aging). Cognition was assessed as scores in each subdomain of the Mini-Mental State Exam. The loss of a single point in each subdomain was predicted by sex, years of education, job type, and their interactions with age. Results demonstrated that age and protective factors affect each cognitive domain differently. High education combined with mentally complex employment helped maintain cognitive performance in later life. Beneficial lifetime exposures are additive, providing combined benefits. Findings provide insight into public policy aiming to minimize the number of adults with cognitive decline and dementia in Barbados and the Caribbean.

Resumé

Resumé

Cette étude a testé l’hypothèse selon laquelle chez les adultes barbadiens plus âgés, le sexe, le niveau d’études et le type de profession atténuent le déclin cognitif lié à l’âge. Les analyses ont utilisé un ensemble de données transversales provenant de 1 325 personnes et collectées dans le cadre de l’étude SABE de 2006 (Santé, bien-être et vieillissement). La cognition a été évaluée sous forme de scores dans chaque sous-domaine du « Mini-Mental State Exam ». La perte d’un seul point dans chaque sous-domaine a été prédite en fonction du sexe, des années d’études, du type d’emploi et de leurs interactions avec l’âge. Les résultats ont démontré que l’âge et les facteurs de protection influent différemment sur chaque domaine cognitif. Un niveau d’études élevé, combiné à un emploi mentalement complexe, a contribué à maintenir les performances cognitives plus tard dans la vie. Le cumul des expositions bénéfiques tout au long de la vie offre des avantages combinés. Les résultats visent à éclairer l’élaboration de politiques publiques visant à réduire le nombre d’adultes atteints de déclin cognitif et de démence à la Barbade et dans les Caraïbes.

Keywords

agingcognitive functioncognitive reserveBarbadosresilience/résiliencevieillissementfonction cognitiveréserve cognitivesBarbade
Type
Article
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , First View , pp. 1 - 11
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Copyright
© Canadian Association on Gerontology 2024

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