TY - JOUR
T1 - Mental status testing in elderly Hispanic populations
T2 - Special concerns
AU - Mahurin, R. K.
AU - Espino, D. V.
AU - Holifield, E. B.
PY - 1992/12/1
Y1 - 1992/12/1
N2 - The rapid growth of the older Hispanic population highlights the importance of accurately assessing the mental status of these individuals. Although several community surveys have reported relatively higher rates of cognitive impairment among older Hispanics, closer analysis has revealed excessive false positives and the underestimation of cognitive functioning. Problems inherent in the mental status testing of this group include the lack of appropriately translated and culturally sensitive instrumentation, the diversity of the population, differences in their educational experiences, and bias in the test-taking situation. Commonly used neuropsychological test batteries have generally been neither translated nor normed for Hispanic subjects. To minimize cultural differences, cross-cultural tests have used nonverbal content; however, nonverbal testing does not, in itself, remove cultural bias. Alternative methods of testing that may reduce bias include performance-based assessment of everyday living skills and measurement of basic psychophysiological responses.
AB - The rapid growth of the older Hispanic population highlights the importance of accurately assessing the mental status of these individuals. Although several community surveys have reported relatively higher rates of cognitive impairment among older Hispanics, closer analysis has revealed excessive false positives and the underestimation of cognitive functioning. Problems inherent in the mental status testing of this group include the lack of appropriately translated and culturally sensitive instrumentation, the diversity of the population, differences in their educational experiences, and bias in the test-taking situation. Commonly used neuropsychological test batteries have generally been neither translated nor normed for Hispanic subjects. To minimize cultural differences, cross-cultural tests have used nonverbal content; however, nonverbal testing does not, in itself, remove cultural bias. Alternative methods of testing that may reduce bias include performance-based assessment of everyday living skills and measurement of basic psychophysiological responses.
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M3 - Review article
C2 - 1296217
AN - SCOPUS:0027096030
VL - 28
SP - 391
EP - 399
JO - Psychopharmacology Bulletin
JF - Psychopharmacology Bulletin
SN - 0048-5764
IS - 4
ER -