Kazi Sabrina Haq

Topic

Racial Disparities in Cognitive Functioning in Middle and Later Life: The Role of Stressors as Mediators and Social Resources as Moderators

Department of Sociology

Date & location

• Wednesday, August 21, 2024
• 10:00 A.M.
• Clearihue Building, Room B021

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Margaret Penning, Department of Sociology, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Dr. Min Zhou, Department of Sociology, UVic (Co-Supervisor)
• Dr. Sharon Lee, Department of Sociology, UVic (Member)
• Dr. Stuart MacDonald, Department of Psychology, UVic (Outside Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Steven Prus, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University

Chair of Oral Examination

• Prof. Mia Maki, Gustavson School of Business, UVic

Abstract

This dissertation explored the complex dynamics of racial disparities in cognitive functioning during middle and later life, examining the mediating role of stressors and the moderating influence of social resources within the Canadian context. Empirical analyses utilized baseline data from the ongoing Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a survey of Canadians aged 45 to 85 years (n=51,338). Through ordinary least squares regression models, with survey weighting and multiple imputation for missing data, the study revealed the presence of racial disparities in cognitive functioning during middle and later life in Canada. Furthermore, using an intersectionality lens, the findings also revealed that race intersected with immigrant status and gender, influencing this health outcome as well. The application of the Stress Process Model (SPM) shed light on the mechanisms underlying these disparities. Both primary stressors (e.g., household income and homeownership) and secondary stressors (e.g., psychological stressors like self-rated general health, mental health, life satisfaction, and depression) mediated the relationship between race and cognitive test performance. Social resources such as marital status, social support and social participation demonstrated moderating effects on the relationship between specific stressors and cognitive functioning, and the moderation effect differs across races. Specifically, these social resources amplify the positive effects of some socioeconomic protective factors (i.e., reduced primary stressors) and subjective well-being factors (i.e., reduced secondary stressors/intrasychic strains) more for racial minorities than for whites.

These findings hold significant theoretical, research, and policy implications. A key theoretical implication of this study is the value of incorporating an intersectionality framework into the SPM for an understanding of how race interacts with other identities to affect cognitive functioning through differences in exposure to various stressors and social resources. There is also a need for research that compares different racial groups to understand variations in exposure to various stressors and their impact on cognitive health. Further, with regard to policy, our findings point to the need for policymakers to address racial disparities in socioeconomic status (SES) and intrapsychic or psychological strains in order to reduce racial disparities in cognitive health outcomes. Additionally, policymakers should focus on enhancing the social support networks of members of racial minority groups and increasing their social participation levels in order to alleviate the negative effects of stress-related exposures. Finally, future research should explore the persistence of racial inequalities in cognitive health outcomes in Canada, examining how socioeconomic factors and subjective psychological well-being contribute to these disparities over time, and compare different racial groups to understand variations in discrimination exposure and its impact on health.