Using the Barnes Language Assessment with older ethnic minority groups

Ramsey, V, Stevens, S, Bryan, K, Binder, J and Cockle-Hearne, J (2009) Using the Barnes Language Assessment with older ethnic minority groups INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, 24 (4). pp. 426-431.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There are many issues concerning the assessment of older people from ethnic minority groups, the most significant being the language barrier experienced by those whose English is an additional language (EAL). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that EAL participants would score less well than those with English as a first language (EFL) on the sub-tests of the Barnes Language Assessment (BLA), elucidate the reasons for any such differences and discuss the implications. METHODS: The Barnes Language Assessment (BLA) is an accurate tool providing information about expected patterns of language in different dementia syndromes. This study compares the performance of EAL participants with EFL participants. The BLA was administered to 144 participants, divided into sub-groups with respect to age, gender and educational background, none of whom had a working diagnosis of dementia. RESULTS: Results suggest that EAL speakers performed less well compared to EFL speakers when other variables were matched. Significantly better BLA scores, at the one percent level, were found in both EAL and EFL groups with higher educational achievement for eight of the 15 sub-tests. CONCLUSION: Differences were found in performance on the BLA between EAL and EFL participants. The degree of difference between EAL and EFL speakers decreased as educational achievement rose. The consequences of these findings for service delivery and the problems of recruitment of older EAL participants are discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions :	Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Authors :	Name Email ORCID Ramsey, V Stevens, S Bryan, K Binder, J Cockle-Hearne, J
Date :	1 April 2009
DOI :	10.1002/gps.2158
Uncontrolled Keywords :	Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Geriatrics & Gerontology, Gerontology, Psychiatry, older ethnic minority groups, language testing, dementia, SCREENING INSTRUMENT, UNITED-KINGDOM, ELDERS, GUJARATI, DISEASE, ISSUES
Related URLs :	Author
Additional Information :	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Ramsey, V, Stevens, S, Bryan, K, Binder, J and Cockle-Hearne, J (2009) Using the Barnes Language Assessment with older ethnic minority groups INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, 24 (4). 426 - 431, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.2158. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Depositing User :	Symplectic Elements
Date Deposited :	09 Feb 2016 10:00
Last Modified :	09 Feb 2016 10:00
URI:	http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/id/eprint/69205

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