The Role of Incarceration as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to understand disparities in cognitive impairment between middle-Aged formerly incarcerated (FI) and nonincarcerated individuals. Methods: The 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth is a nationally representative longitudinal data set containing information on incarceration, cognitive functioning, and other health conditions. Using a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m), adapted from the Health and Retirement Study, we analyzed the association between incarceration and cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment-not dementia and dementia. Multivariable regression models were estimated, including prior incarceration status and covariates associated with incarceration and cognitive functioning. Results: FI individuals had lower unadjusted scores on TICS-m (-2.5, p