Cross-cultural perspectives: agitation in demented patients in the United States

• Published in: International psychogeriatrics Vol. 8 Suppl 3; pp. 487 - 490
• Main Authors: Mintzer, J E, Nietert, P, Costa, K, Waid, L R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1996
• Subjects: African Americans - psychology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aggression; Aggression - psychology; Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; Alzheimer Disease - ethnology; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer's Disease; Behavior Problems; Black White Differences; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Dementia - diagnosis; Dementia - ethnology; Dementia - psychology; Elderly; European Continental Ancestry Group - psychology; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Home Health Care; Humans; Male; Mental Status Schedule; Nursing Homes; Psychomotor Agitation - diagnosis; Psychomotor Agitation - ethnology; Psychomotor Agitation - psychology; Senility; United States; Whites; United States
• ISSN: 1041-6102
• DOI: 10.1017/S1041610297003918

Using the three components of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory -- aggressive, physically nonaggressive, & verbally agitated behavior -- the presence & characteristics of agitation in African American & white elderly persons with a documented presence of both dementia & agitation are compared in two settings: (1) 93 whites & 11 African Americans living in skilled nursing homes, & (2) 86 whites & 24 African Amerians who had been living at home with a caregiver before they were admitted to a geriatric psychiatric unit. Analysis indicates that African Americans had a significantly higher prevalence of aggressive behaviors, while whites had a slightly higher prevalence of physically nonaggressive behaviors & verbally agitated behaviors. It is concluded that African American patients displaying aggressive behaviors, rather than other forms of agitation, will be more likely to be admitted to a nursing home. 5 References. C. Haywood