Social Isolation, Loneliness and Dementia Among Middle and Old Age Black Men
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ABSTRACT Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is prevalent in approximately 6 million people and is the 6th leading cause of death among adults in the United States. The burden of ADRD is not equally distributed across populations as rates among Blacks are two to three times greater than their White peers. Black males are disproportionately represented among those with ADRD, however, they few studies have exclusively focused on this population. The maintenance of accessible and supportive social networks during middle and older ages are influenced by personality trait and has been shown to be a protective factor for cognitive decline and onset of ADRD. The Caciappo Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness posits that beneficial social interactions and reliable social relationships can contribute to the longevity of life, reproduction and genetic legacy. This theory leverages the work of Weiss that conceptualizes loneliness as perceived isolation that is a “gnawing, chronic disease without redeeming features”. This project seeks to examine how personality trait, social isolation and loneliness impact dementia onset among middle to older age Black males. The aims for the proposed supplement are to: 1) Investigate the independent association of social isolation and loneliness on dementia among middle and old age Black men; and 2) Examine the impact of the 5-factor model personality traits (e.g. extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness and conscientiousness) on the associations between social isolation, loneliness and dementia among middle and old age Black men.
