Browsing by Author "Muniz-Terrera, Graciela"

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Are There Sex Differences in How Social Cohesion and Loneliness Relate To Cognitive Decline in Latinos
(Oxford University Press, 2025) Muniz-Terrera, Graciela; Marroig, Alejandra; Gutierrez, Angela; Tobin, Courtney Thomas; Sevi, Baris
Latinos are the largest minoritized population in the US, and therefore, understanding cognitive decline in this population is paramount. Previous literature has identified exogenous factors, such as social cohesion and endogenous factors, such as loneliness, as associated with cognitive decline in older men and women. To improve our understanding of the role of social cohesion and loneliness on cognitive decline in Latino older adults, we fitted independent linear mixed effects models to cognitive scores from men and women aged 50 and older (n = 2,321) who participated in the Health and Retirement Study (2006 - 2016), accounting for both, social cohesion and loneliness. Models were also adjusted for sociodemographic factors. In men and women, social cohesion was positively associated with baseline cognitive function (p < 0.001), while loneliness was negatively associated with baseline cognitive function (p < 0.001). The effect size of loneliness on baseline cognition in men was 3-fold the effect of social cohesion in men, while in women, it was 2-fold. However, none of these factors were significantly associated with cognitive trajectories over time. These findings highlight the importance of the role of exogenous and endogenous domains of the exposome in cognitive function among Latino adults. Health promotion initiatives should focus on implementing culturally appropriate strategies that enhance social cohesion within neighborhoods and help reduce feelings of loneliness.
Big-5 Personality Traits as Predictors of Allostatic Load in Latino Americans: A Longitudinal Study
(Oxford Univ Press Inc, 2025) Sevi, Baris; Supiyev, Adil; Gutierrez, Angela; Graham, Eileen K.; Mroczek, Daniel K.; Muniz-Terrera, Graciela
Objectives Allostatic load (AL) refers to the measure of cumulative wear and tear resulting from chronic stress and life events. AL presents adverse consequences for a diverse range of health conditions, and Latino populations show a high risk for elevated AL. This study aimed to test the Big-5 personality traits as possible predictors of AL in Latinos.Methods Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examined the Big-5 and AL connection through three time points in 8 years (Time 1 = 2006/2008; Time 2 = 2010/2012; Time 3 = 2014/2016). Only self-identified Latinos were included in the analysis sample (N = 319). Big-5 and demographics were obtained at baseline, and AL scores were computed for each time point.Results First, separate longitudinal linear mixed-effect models examined the effects of each Big-5 personality trait on AL change over time, then a fully adjusted longitudinal linear mixed-effect model was tested entering the Big-5 personality traits simultaneously. All models controlled for sociodemographic factors. Conscientiousness emerged as the only consistent significant predictor, for the separate and the simultaneous models. In baseline associations, higher conscientiousness was associated with lower AL. For predicting change in AL over time, none of the personality traits had significant associations in any of the models.Discussion The findings bolster prior evidence that conscientious can be a protective factor against elevated AL. Conscientiousness is a possible protective factor and improving related traits can be a path to achieve better health in Latino Americans.
Neighborhood and Psychosocial Predictors of Cognitive Function Among Latinos in the United States
(Oxford University Press, 2025) Gutierrez, Angela; Marroig, Alejandra; Tobin, Courtney Thomas; Aranda, Maria; Camacho, David; Thorpe, Roland; Muniz-Terrera, Graciela; Sevi, Barış
Underlining Neighbourhood Perception: a Possible Risk Factor for Dementia That Deserves More Attention
(Oxford Univ Press, 2024) Gutierrez, Angela; Sevi, Barış; Muniz-Terrera, Graciela
This essay highlights the interplay between the neighbourhood structural environment and neighbourhood perceptions on dementia by articulating how an individual's perception of neighbourhood, with respect to their individual differences, may provide key insights to understand the link between the neighbourhood and dementia.