INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 11 Program Schedule 02/17/2024 10:45 am - 12:00 pm Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 11: Cultural Neuropsychology \| Education/Training \| Professional Practice Issues Final Abstract #22 Differences in Digit Span Performance by Primary Language in Older Adults Timothy Baer, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States Stephen Docherty, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States Alexander Eisenstein, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States Chrystal Fullen, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States Jennifer Kleiner, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States Jennifer Gess, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States Lee Isaac, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States Category: Cross Cultural Neuropsychology/ Clinical Cultural Neuroscience Keyword 1: cross-cultural issues Keyword 2: neuropsychological assessment Keyword 3: dementia - Alzheimer's disease Objective: Objective: The significance of cultural and demographic factors in neuropsychological assessment is recognized. Culturally appropriate norms are critical for accurate interpretation of neuropsychological test results, particularly for assessment of neurodegenerative conditions as cultural and linguistic composition of the United States continues to change. This study explored differences in digit span (DS) test performance, a widely utilized test, based on primary language in a predominantly older adult sample. Differences in DS between languages are well documented (Dehaena, 1997; Chan & Elliott, 2020; Argüelles et. al., 2001; Ostrosky‐Solís & Lozano, 2007), although studies examining older adults are sparse. Understanding group differences in performance based on a cultural component, language, among a large older adult population can further guide best practices. Participants and Methods: Participants and Methods: Participants included 29637 U.S. adults (Age: M = 72.28, SD = 10.354; Education: M = 14.95, SD = 3.46; Gender: 57% female, 43 % male; Race: 80.9% White, 14% Black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 1.9% Other, .1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; Ethnicity: 8% Hispanic origin) who completed comprehensive evaluations at Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers across the U.S. as part of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NIA/NIH Grant U24 AG072122), including the Uniform Data Set neuropsychological battery. ANCOVA was utilized to examine group differences, controlling for age and years of education. Results: Results: After adjustment for age and education, there was a significant difference in digit span forward (DSF) trials correct between those with English as their primary language (PRI-ENG) and those with any other primary language (NON-ENG), F(1,29475) = 951.189, p < .001, partial η2 = .031. DSF trials correct was significantly greater for the PRI-ENG group (M = 7.79, SE = .013) relative to the NON-ENG group (M = 6.29, SE = .047), a mean difference of 1.503 95% CI [1.407, 1.598], p < .001. The same finding was seen with digit span backwards (DSB) total correct (F(1,29475) = 31.629, p < .001, partial η2 = .001), with higher scores for PRI-ENG (M = 6.02, SE = .037) relative to NON-ENG (M = 5.261, SE = .130). Differences between PRI-ENG (M = 7.84, SD = 2.23) and NON-ENG (M = 5.98, SD = 2.193) remained even when administration occurred in the participants’ primary language (t(334.171) = 15.317, p < .001). Conclusions: Conclusions: The analysis showed a significant difference in DS performance between PRI-ENG and NON-ENG groups. The difference held for DSF and DSB conditions. Findings align with previous studies and demonstrates the applicability in older adult samples (Dehaena, 1997; Chan & Elliott, 2020; Argüelles et. al., 2001; Ostrosky‐Solís & Lozano, 2007). This difference remained even in language congruent administration, highlighting the value of culturally and linguistically specific norms. Regarding limitations, primary language itself is only one aspect of culture and likely fails to capture important differences between cultural sub-groups. There are limitations in the applicability of findings outside the U.S. as the sample may differ from others of the same primary language in other countries.

Poster

02/17/2024
10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 11: Cultural Neuropsychology | Education/Training | Professional Practice Issues

Final Abstract #22

Differences in Digit Span Performance by Primary Language in Older Adults

Timothy Baer, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States
Stephen Docherty, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States
Alexander Eisenstein, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States
Chrystal Fullen, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States
Jennifer Kleiner, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States
Jennifer Gess, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States
Lee Isaac, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, United States

Category: Cross Cultural Neuropsychology/ Clinical Cultural Neuroscience

Keyword 1: cross-cultural issues
Keyword 2: neuropsychological assessment
Keyword 3: dementia - Alzheimer's disease

Objective:

Objective: The significance of cultural and demographic factors in neuropsychological assessment is recognized. Culturally appropriate norms are critical for accurate interpretation of neuropsychological test results, particularly for assessment of neurodegenerative conditions as cultural and linguistic composition of the United States continues to change. This study explored differences in digit span (DS) test performance, a widely utilized test, based on primary language in a predominantly older adult sample. Differences in DS between languages are well documented (Dehaena, 1997; Chan & Elliott, 2020; Argüelles et. al., 2001; Ostrosky‐Solís & Lozano, 2007), although studies examining older adults are sparse. Understanding group differences in performance based on a cultural component, language, among a large older adult population can further guide best practices.

Participants and Methods:

Participants and Methods: Participants included 29637 U.S. adults (Age: M = 72.28, SD = 10.354; Education: M = 14.95, SD = 3.46; Gender: 57% female, 43 % male; Race: 80.9% White, 14% Black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 1.9% Other, .1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; Ethnicity: 8% Hispanic origin) who completed comprehensive evaluations at Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers across the U.S. as part of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NIA/NIH Grant U24 AG072122), including the Uniform Data Set neuropsychological battery. ANCOVA was utilized to examine group differences, controlling for age and years of education.

Results:

Results: After adjustment for age and education, there was a significant difference in digit span forward (DSF) trials correct between those with English as their primary language (PRI-ENG) and those with any other primary language (NON-ENG), F(1,29475) = 951.189, p < .001, partial η2 = .031. DSF trials correct was significantly greater for the PRI-ENG group (M = 7.79, SE = .013) relative to the NON-ENG group (M = 6.29, SE = .047), a mean difference of 1.503 95% CI [1.407, 1.598], p < .001. The same finding was seen with digit span backwards (DSB) total correct (F(1,29475) = 31.629, p < .001, partial η2 = .001), with higher scores for PRI-ENG (M = 6.02, SE = .037) relative to NON-ENG (M = 5.261, SE = .130). Differences between PRI-ENG (M = 7.84, SD = 2.23) and NON-ENG (M = 5.98, SD = 2.193) remained even when administration occurred in the participants’ primary language (t(334.171) = 15.317, p < .001).

Conclusions:

Conclusions: The analysis showed a significant difference in DS performance between PRI-ENG and NON-ENG groups. The difference held for DSF and DSB conditions. Findings align with previous studies and demonstrates the applicability in older adult samples (Dehaena, 1997; Chan & Elliott, 2020; Argüelles et. al., 2001; Ostrosky‐Solís & Lozano, 2007). This difference remained even in language congruent administration, highlighting the value of culturally and linguistically specific norms. Regarding limitations, primary language itself is only one aspect of culture and likely fails to capture important differences between cultural sub-groups. There are limitations in the applicability of findings outside the U.S. as the sample may differ from others of the same primary language in other countries.