Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
Volume 26, Issue 6, 2014, Pages 655-659

Cognitive reserve in a cross-cultural population: The case of Italian emigrants in Montreal (Article)

Mondini S.* , Guarino R. , Jarema G. , Kehayia E. , Nair V. , Nucci M. , Mapelli D.
  • a Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, Padua, 35131, Italy, Casa di Cura Figlie di San Camillo, via Fabio Filzi 56, Cremona, Italy, Human Inspired Techonology Research Centre-HIT, Padua, Italy
  • b Casa di Cura Figlie di San Camillo, via Fabio Filzi 56, Cremona, Italy
  • c Département de Linguistique et de Traduction, Université de Montréal, Research Centre, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
  • d School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation du Montréal Métropolitain, Montreal, Canada
  • e Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • f Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, Padua, 35131, Italy, Human Inspired Techonology Research Centre-HIT, Padua, Italy
  • g Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, Padua, 35131, Italy, Human Inspired Techonology Research Centre-HIT, Padua, Italy

Abstract

Background: Cognitive reserve could be defined as the accumulation of experiences, abilities, knowledge and changes that occur throughout the lifespan. One of the most difficult changes in life is the experience of emigrating to a foreign country.Aims: The present investigation aimed to compare the cognitive reserve of two paired groups of elderly: Italians living in Italy and Italians who in adult age (around 20 years) emigrated to Montreal. Both groups attended the same years of school, in Italy.Methods: Cognitive reserve was measured in the two groups by a structured and standardised questionnaire, the cognitive reserve questionnaire.Results: Cognitive reserve showed to be significantly higher in the Italian-Canadian individuals (i.e. Italians who emigrated).Conclusions: Emigration might act as an environmental factor that enriches people’s lifestyle and reflects itself in the amount of their cognitive reserve. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.

Author Keywords

Emigrants Cognitive reserve Multi-cultural context Elderly

Index Keywords

Questionnaires Canada male Emigrants and Immigrants female Aged lifestyle cognitive reserve Italy Life Style questionnaire cultural factor physiology human Humans migrant psychology Cross-Cultural Comparison
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84935452433&doi=10.1007%2fs40520-014-0224-0&partnerID=40&md5=13fe82318fa3a602f6d7bfcb66088d20
DOI: 10.1007/s40520-014-0224-0
ISSN: 15940667
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English