Paranoid ideation among elderly African American persons.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence and correlates of paranoid ideation were investigated.


METHODS
On the basis of a sample of 998 independently living elderly African American persons in a cross-sectional study, the study used the Brief Symptom Inventory to measure paranoid ideation and 14 independent variables, including demographic characteristics, cognitive deficit, depression, self-reported memory functioning, emotional and instrumental support, stressful life events, limitation of daily activities, self-rated health status, and self-rated hearing and vision.


CONCLUSIONS
Paranoid ideation (symptoms of paranoia) was found in 10% of this sample. A multiple regression analysis of the data revealed that of the 14 independent variables used in this study, 6 (income, instrumental support, hearing, stressful life events, self-reported memory deficit, and depression) showed a significant relationship with paranoid ideation.
Bazargan
M
M
Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA. mobazarg@cdrewu.edu
Bazargan
S
S
King
L
L
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology