Date of Award:

5-2026

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

JoAnn T. Tschanz

Committee

JoAnn T. Tschanz

Committee

M. Scott DeBerard

Committee

Gail B. Rattinger

Abstract

Late-life cognitive decline and dementia that are unrelated to normal aging are a source of major global health concerns. Vascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, along with psychosocial stress, are well-established risk factors for cognitive decline. However, no research has explored how these variables interact to influence cognitive performance in older adults. Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders (NHPI) face disproportionate rates of vascular risk factors linked to cognitive decline, yet this population has been historically underrepresented in health research. As a result, limited evidence exists regarding how these factors collectively impact cognitive performance in this population. This study used data collected in community health fair settings to explore whether psychosocial stress moderates the associations between vascular risk factors and cognitive performance among NHPI and non-NHPI older adults. The results showed that high blood pressure, concomitant vascular risk factors, and psychosocial stress were all associated with lower cognitive performance. In addition, psychosocial stress moderated the relationship between vascular risk and cognitive decline, though statistical adjustments for demographic factors eliminated this relationship. When examining differences among NHPI and non-NHPI participants, psychosocial stress was associated with lower cognitive performance in the NHPI sample only. These findings underscore the need for culturally responsive stress management interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of psychosocial stress on late-life cognition, particularly within the NHPI community.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .