Impact of Caregiving Experiences & Sociocultural Determinants on Cognitive/Emotional Functioning in Black Infor Dementia Caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: Dementia is commonly referred to as "silent epidemic," with informal caregiving as primary support. Current study examined the impact of sociocultural caregiving experiences on cognitive/emotional functioning among Black informal dementia caregivers in the United States. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was utilized with 181 participants recruited via Prolific who completed self-report measures. Bivariate Pearson correlations, partial correlations, and ANOVAs were conducted. RESULTS: Greater caregiver identity centrality was associated with higher anxiety symptoms. Higher acquired non-death interpersonal loss was linked to greater perceived impairment in cognitive/emotional functioning, whereas stronger spirituality correlated with lower perceived impairment. Daily discrimination endorsement was associated with higher anxiety symptoms. Post-hoc analyses showed that individuals with care recipients in external settings reported lower anxiety and depression symptoms and non-death interpersonal loss than those co-inhabiting. CONCLUSION: The shift toward caregiver identity and the experience of non-death interpersonal loss represent important factors related to cognitive/emotional functioning. Spiritual beliefs had a protective role against adverse changes, while everyday discrimination increased anxiety symptoms, attributed to threat detection and challenges in navigating the healthcare system. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that placing a dementia care recipient in an external setting reduced mood dysfunction. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Findings inform evidence-based and culturally responsive recommendations fostering resilience among Black informal dementia caregivers.