Examining cognitive and psychological health in Malaysia: a socio-demographic analysis using MoCA and DASS

This paper analysed data from the Ageless Cognitive Assessment, a tool used to evaluate cognitive function in older Malaysians. Its objective was to examine the relationship between cognitive function, psychological distress, and socio-demographic characteristics among the elderly in Malaysia, using the MoCA and DASS. The study included 919 participants aged 60 and above from three cohorts (MELoR, TUA, and New Recruit). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests identified factors influencing the MoCA and DASS scores. Results showed Chinese ethnicity had a superior cognitive capacity (p < 0.05), with an average rank of 348.79. DASS ratings indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in psychological distress, with the Chinese group exhibiting higher scores, reflecting increased depression, anxiety, and stress. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in DASS scores was observed between genders, with females experiencing higher psychological distress than males. Despite these differences, no significant variations were found in the total MoCA or DASS scores between single or married respondents, indicating marital status did not significantly affect cognitive function or psychological suffering. These findings underscore the influence of ethnicity and gender on psychological distress and cognitive function, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address disparities.

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