Perceived everyday discrimination and its effect on cognitive function through depression in diverse populations: A HABS-HD study

Background Previous research suggests perceived discrimination impairs cognitive function, which is mediated by depression. Objective This study examines and compares the relationships of perceived everyday discrimination with cognition and the mediating role of depression among Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), Hispanics, and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Method Using structural equation modeling, the effects of perceived everyday discrimination on cognitive function was evaluated through the mediated pathway of depression among 1267 participants from the Health and Aging Brain Study – Health Disparities cohort, and was stratified by race/ethnicity (NHB = 685; Hispanics = 302; NHW = 280). Results Perceived everyday discrimination on cognitive function was fully mediated by depression in Hispanics and NHW. Positive associations between perceived everyday discrimination and depression were found across racial/ethnic groups, whereas negative associations between depression and cognitive function were found in all except NHB. Conclusions Depression mediated the association between perceived everyday discrimination and cognitive function in Hispanics and NHW but not in NHB. The findings underscore the need for further research on Alzheimer's disease and cognitive health disparities in minority populations.