Improvement of Working Memory is a Mechanism for Reductions in Delay Discounting Among Mid-Age Individuals in an Urban Medically Underserved Area.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Delay discounting, or the tendency to devalue rewards as a function of their delayed receipt, is associated with myriad negative health behaviors. Individuals from medically underserved areas are disproportionately at risk for chronic health problems. The higher rates of delay discounting and consequent adverse outcomes evidenced among low-resource and unstable environments suggest this may be an important pathway to explain health disparities among this population.

Purpose

The current study examined the effectiveness of a computerized working memory training program to decrease rates of delay discounting among residents of a traditionally underserved region.

Methods

Participants (N = 123) were recruited from a community center serving low income and homele

SUBMITTER: Felton JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6779071 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature