Assessment of Alzheimer's Disease Symptom Recognition in Korean Americans and Psychometric Analysis of Alzheimer's Disease Symptom Recognition Scale (ADSRS)

• Published in: Journal of gerontological social work Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 289 - 305
• Main Authors: Lee, Sang E., Casado, Banghwa Lee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 03.04.2015; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer's disease; Asian Americans; Asian Americans - psychology; Cognition; Cognitive functioning; Communication; Consciousness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; ethnic minority; Female; Gerontology; Health literacy; Humans; Korean Americans; Male; Memory; mental health literacy; Neuropsychiatric symptoms; Neuropsychology; Psychometrics - methods; Quantitative psychology; Questionnaires; symptom recognition; Symptoms; United States; dementia; Alzheimer’s disease; Korean Americans; ethnic minority; symptom recognition; mental health literacy
• ISSN: 0163-4372; 1540-4048
• DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2015.1005785

This study examined recognition of Alzheimer's disease symptoms among Korean Americans (KAs) and assessed psychometric properties of the Alzheimer's Disease Symptom Recognition Scale (ADSRS). A cross-sectional survey collected data from 209 KAs, using a self-administered questionnaire. Results show that KAs recognized symptoms related to memory and cognitive functioning well, but had very limited recognition of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Psychometric analysis of ADSRS identified 4 factors in their symptom recognition. Findings suggest a need to raise awareness of Alzheimer's symptoms over the course of the disease. Assessment using ADSRS can be incorporated in communication in the practice context and public outreach.