The total study sample consisted of 89 Black and 83 White adults with a mean age of 76.52 years. All had previously scored in the Mini-Mental State Examination scores in a non-impaired range. But although in Whites, the current study determined, the memory self-efficacy scores of the entire sample were also low (M = 31.95 +/- 18.20), African-Americans scored even lower on perceived memory self-efficacy and memory performance. Memory self-efficacy predicted memory performance in the White group (r [83] =. 41; p < or =. 05). While the correlation for the Black group between perceived and actual memory performance was statistically not significant (r [89] =. 16), when the entire sample was combined for the regression...

30; p < or =. 05). While age and education were also factors in memory retention, self-efficacy was well accounted for 13% of the variance. Low self-confidence in one's memory seemed to also negatively influences everyday memory performance in elders.
Works Cited

McDougall, Graham J. (2004) "Memory Self-Efficacy and Memory Performance Among Black and White Elders." Nursing Research. Sept./Oct. 2004. 53(5), 323-331. Retrieved from Medline 26 Jan 2005 at http://intapp.medscape.com/px/medlineapp/getdoc?ord=1&searchid=2&have_local_holdings_file=1&local_journals_only=0&searchstring=McDougall+white+and+black+elders+memory