Cross-cultural perspectives: agitation in demented patients in the United States

Using the three components of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory -- aggressive, physically nonaggressive, & verbally agitated behavior -- the presence & characteristics of agitation in African American & white elderly persons with a documented presence of both dementia & agitation are compared in two settings: (1) 93 whites & 11 African Americans living in skilled nursing homes, & (2) 86 whites & 24 African Amerians who had been living at home with a caregiver before they were admitted to a geriatric psychiatric unit. Analysis indicates that African Americans had a significantly higher prevalence of aggressive behaviors, while whites had a slightly higher prevalence of physically nonaggressive behaviors & verbally agitated behaviors. It is concluded that African American patients displaying aggressive behaviors, rather than other forms of agitation, will be more likely to be admitted to a nursing home. 5 References. C. Haywood