Overview

• The study analyzed data from over 1,500 participants aged 60 and older in the Chicago-based PINE cohort to examine sociobehavioral risks for memory loss.
• Investigators assessed three factors—stress internalization, neighborhood cohesion and external stress alleviation—to understand drivers of age-related cognitive decline.
• Stress internalization, characterized by persistent hopelessness and absorbed stressful experiences, was the only factor strongly associated with memory decline across three waves of data collection.
• Researchers pointed to the model minority stereotype and language or cultural barriers as unique stressors that exacerbate internalized stress among older Chinese Americans.
• Study leaders aim to leverage these modifiable findings to develop culturally tailored stress-reduction programs and address underrepresentation in brain aging research.