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- Creators: School of Life Sciences
Participants were 475 twins and their primary caregivers (mean age=8.48; Primary caregivers: 64% White, 36% Hispanic; 53.8% middle class or above). I found no main effects between parental cultural values and child cortisol outcomes and no main effects between parenting behaviors and child cortisol outcomes. However, when exploring the moderating role of race/ethnicity, it was found that, as compared to children of White primary caregivers, children of Hispanic primary caregivers who had higher levels of parental authoritarianism had steeper PM slopes, indicating more adaptive cortisol outcomes. This suggests that the adaptiveness of certain parenting behaviors may differ across racial/ethnic groups such that what is considered to be “good parenting” may not translate across differing racial/ethnic groups. Ultimately, further research should be conducted in order to further explore the impact of race/ethnicity in the outcomes of our children.
Overview: There has been very little research done into the topic of mental illness in general, and Alzheimer’s Disease specifically, in Guatemala. The existing research accounts for prevalence of mental illness in Guatemala with an estimated prevalence of a mental illness of 27.8% (Guatemalan Government, 2009). Alzheimer’s Disease is less well researched.
Research Question: This research addresses this gap in knowledge by focusing on the stigma felt toward people who had Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) by the people of Guatemala.
Participants: One-hundred twenty-four individuals over the age of 18 were recruited for participation. Participants were recruited through opportunity samples in artisan markets in Antigua.
Procedures: Participants completed a survey including demographic questions, the Dementia Attitudes Scale (O’Connor & McFadden 2010), as well as open-ended questions regarding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for Alzheimer’s. The study was conducted from July 2, 2018 to August 2, 2018.
Results: The average DAS score of 100.31± 14.01 found in this study is similar to results from other studies conducted in the United States (O'Connor & McFadden, 2010). Factor analysis did not verify the existence of sub-scales in the survey, as found in previous studies. The free-response questions indicated that many people may believe that ADRD is an inherited disease or one that is caused by factors outside of their control.
Conclusions: The high DAS score of 100.31± 14.01 matches other studies that used the DAS. Scores of 103.51± 13.43 (Scerri & Scerri, 2013) were reported in other studies and interpreted as positive as it relates to stigma. This points to a low stigma level in Guatemala. The failure to verify the sub-scales leads to the conclusion that although scales are validated in western nations, they may not be culturally portable. The DAS scale may not be measuring the same thing in this sample’s population versus previous studies sample populations.
In many societies, having children is normalized and expected, and individuals who choose to pursue a childfree life are likely under intense pressure to conform and take on a “traditional” role as a parent. Based on qualitative interviews, my thesis investigates the factors and motivations that make adults of any relationship status (age 18+) decide to live a childfree life and how such a decision has impacted their relationships with others. I also examine their experiences maintaining their childfree status through obtaining contraceptives and relevant medical procedures (e.g., sterilization). Ultimately, this thesis aims to provide insight to better understand the reasoning behind the choice to be childfree, and the way that choice influences childfree individuals’ daily lives.