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- The older Chinese Americans who tend to maintain stress, despair and self -doubt themselves showed a faster memory decrease over time.
- The “stress assimilation” pattern has been linked to memory changes, but not other thinking skills such as planning or problem solving.
- Social activity and cultural adaptation reinforced the grades of starting memory but did not slow down the decline rate.
- The researchers say this habit is subject to change and suggests the education of society, culturally designed mental health programs, and a better examination by healthcare providers.
New Brunswick, New Jersey – If you are ever told “Strong Stand” and keep your problems with yourself, you may think it is a sign of flexibility. But a new study indicates that for some people, especially the older Chinese Americans, this approach may speed up the loss of memory quietly over time.
Search, Published in Alzheimer’s disease magazine1528 Chinese American adults in the Chicago region who were in the seventies are affiliated with an average. All of them were part of the population study of the Chinese elderly (PINE)-the largest community study of its kind in the United States. For approximately four years, participants participated in three rounds of memory and thinking tests, each in their favorite Chinese tone to ensure that the language was not an obstacle.
Researchers were looking for patterns between mental performance and the various aspects of life: emotional luxury, social support, health problems, and cultural adaptation. One of the factors has emerged – something they called “stress.”
What does “stress absorb” mean
The absorption of stress is a term used by psychologists to describe people who feel a high level of tension and despair, as well as a less control or discipline in their daily habits. Instead of sharing their frustrations or seeking help, they tend to keep everything in it.
In the study, people with high levels of stress have suffered a decrease in memory at a faster pace than their peers. While the changes from year to year were small, they accumulated over time. More importantly, this effect was only appeared in memory-related skills-such as calling the list of words after a short-and not in other cognitive capabilities such as planning, organizing or solving problems.
The authors note that “these non -adapted features have been linked to the stereotypes of the Asian minority, but they are all adjustable.” In other words, while the cultural standards that encourage stoic may be deeply rooted, they are not permanent – and can be changed with the correct type of support.


Why the culture plays a role
For many older Chinese Americans, cultural values and life experiences can make the inclusion of stress more likely. Nearly 69 percent of the Chinese Americans are immigrants, and thirty older Chinese Americans talk a little or slightly. Many have arrived in the United States during the middle of age and spent decades in a society often carrying the “typical” stereotype. This is the assumption that Asian Americans are naturally successful, working hard, and self -reliance.
This stereotype can be double edges. Although it is often praise, it can also create pressure to reduce conflicts, avoid helping, and “keep his face” by appearing strongly even in difficult situations. For some, this means carrying emotional burdens alone, which may negatively affect mental and physical health over time.
Why does the social ties not stop declining?
You may assume that the presence of a wide social circle, participation in community activities, or becoming more culturally with American life that would protect from memory loss. In this study, these factors were already linked to higher memory degrees at first. But they don’t seem to slow down as soon as it started.
This means that people who were more socially or better to adapt life in the United States began to lead, but they were lost at the same rate of others. The benefits were about starting a higher foundation, not about maintaining memory more clearly for a longer period.
This style repeats results from other societies, as strong beginnings are not always translated into a slower decrease. It indicates that as soon as certain factors such as accommodation of stress, they may exceed the preventive effects of social participation.
About 60 percent of the study participants lived in the Chinese district of Chicago, a neighborhood rich in culture, traditions and societal relations. Living in such an environment can be comfortable and help maintain cultural identity. But it can also enhance traditional standards about emotional expression, that is, struggles should be dealt with separately.
Researchers note that this reflects a concept known as “John Henries”, who first studied in American -African societies. It describes health losses to work constantly to overcome the challenges without sufficient resources or support. While the contexts are different, the basic strain to push forward in silence may have similar effects.
Why do it matter
The good news is that the accommodation of stress is not a medical condition – it is a pattern of confrontation. This makes it changeable.
The authors of the study suggest some steps that can help:
- Community education To challenge stereotypes that inhibit the help request.
- Culturally designed mental health programs For the elderly Asian Americans.
- Training for healthcare providers To discover hidden signs on emotional distress in patients who may not speak.
These changes may make it easy for older adults sharing what it is going through, and getting support before stress begins to influence their memory.
What cannot tell us the study
Like all research, this study had its limits. It focused on one Metropolitan region, so the results may not apply to all older Chinese Americans. Nearly 1000 participants were either completed all the three test tours or were excluded from the analysis. Those who have worked in the study tend to be somewhat healthier and have better cognitive degrees to start, which may affect the results.
Memory tests are designed, despite their translation into Chinese, originally for English speakers. This means that they may not pick up all aspects of thinking and important memory in Chinese -speaking cultures.
Simple fast food
This research does not prove that maintaining stress inside causes memory loss directly. But it shows a clear link between the two, at least in this group of older Chinese Americans. The results add to an increasing group of evidence that emotional health and brain health are linked, and that the way we deal with stress can make a difference over time.
The message is simple: Flexibility is not only related to payment on your own. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for your mind – and your memory – is speaking, sharing your burdens, and allowing others to help pregnancy pregnancy
Slip: This article is based on research reviewed by the peer. The results describe the links that were observed in this specific study and do not prove the cause and influence. The results may not apply to all individuals. This summary is for media purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Paper summary
methodology
The researchers continued 1528 older Chinese Americans (an average age of 71 years) who live in the Chicago Metropolitan region on three waves of four -year data collection. Participants have completed cognitive tests in their favorite Chinese accent and questionnaires that answered psychological welfare, social support, health conditions, and population composition. The team used statistical techniques to determine the basic patterns of participants ’responses, discovering three main psychological patterns: absorbing stress (imaginative stress, despair, low control), neighborhood/community connection, and relief of external stress. You have tracked changes in two cognitive fields, memory and executive performance, over time.
results
The accommodation of the stress was associated only with a decrease in memory over time, with the high internal stress that corresponds to the fastest annual memory loss. Factors such as cultural adaptation, social participation and activity did not appear any long -term effects on cognitive change, although they are linked to the performance of the foundation line better. The executive performance showed any association with any psychological factors over time. The effects of memory were important even after controlling demographic factors, health conditions and other potential effects.
Restrictions
The study was limited to the Chinese Americans in one geographical region, which limits the wider application. Nearly 1,000 participants were launched during the study period, as the most healthy individuals are likely to complete all the tests. Cognitive tests, despite their translation, were originally developed for English -speaking population and may not completely capture cognitive capabilities related to Chinese -speaking adults. The study relied on self -reported health conditions and psychological measures, which can be subject to memory and response.
Finance and disclosure
This research was supported by the granting of the National Institute of Ouar, including the Asian Resources Center at the University of Rutgers for the Agency Research of Minority (P3059304), the NYU-Rutgers Center for Resources Resources Research and ASIAN Endology and Pacific America (P30 Ag083257), and Meshimer’s Neuros Equister Equist. Ag024904). The researchers reported that there was no conflict of the study related interests.
Publishing information
Posted on July 18, 2025 on July 18, 202 Alzheimer’s disease magazine. Doi: 10.1016/J.TJPAD.2025.100270