Psychological Distress is Associated With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders

We examined the relationship between psychological distress and other factors with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI). We conducted a community-based participatory research study on NHPI ( N = 54). Age, education, gender, height/weight, cognitive functioning, social support, and psychological distress were ascertained via a self-report questionnaire. Chi-square and logistic regression were utilized to examine the relationship between psychological distress and MCI, adjusted for covariates. We found that those with higher psychological distress had significantly higher MCI (OR = 1.36, p < .05); other covariates, including body mass index and age, were also significantly associated with MCI (OR = 1.16, p < .05; OR = 1.14, p < .05, respectively). Our findings suggest that psychological distress may potentially increase cognitive impairment in NHPI. Further studies examining the role of psychological distress, as well as mental health awareness and care, may subsequently reduce cognitive impairment in at-risk, vulnerable communities.