Occupational position and complexity in relation to Black-White cognitive disparities.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Occupational characteristics are less commonly measured social determinants of health that may contribute to racial dementia disparities. We assessed whether occupational position (OP) or complexity (OC) mediated racial cognitive disparities.

Methods

Participants were Black and White older adults from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (MCAP) (n = 536; M_age  = 63.64 ± 3.07; 59% women; 53% Black). We assessed whether OP (six US Census categories) or OC (mental/social/physical demands) mediated cognitive disparities. Sequential mediation analyses assessed whether OP explained cognitive disparities through OC, income, and/or wealth.

Results

Black participants had low (vs high) OP, which predicted worse episodic memory and global cogni

SUBMITTER: Walters ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12321506 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature