Authors: Anna Maria J. Wegierek, Nicole M. Summers, Olivia Szlachta.
Objective: Minimal research has been completed examining the Polish population. This study sought to discover differences in neuropsychological test scores between Polish people who moved to the United States as children (younger than 25 years old) and Polish people who moved to the United States as adults (older than 25 years old). It was hypothesized that the younger group would be more successful in most areas of cognitive functioning due to
increased exposure to American culture.
Methods: Retrospective and current clients were asked if they would be willing to offer their data for the study. Approximately 70 were asked and only 17 participants (eight male, nine female), with the mean age at the time of testing being 62.65 years old, agreed to sign a consent form. Seven participants were obtained through returning the consent via mail; 10 were acquired through direct intervention while in the clinic.
Results: The results indicated that the older group had fewer cognitive difficulties than the younger group; the older group also had higher levels of education.
Conclusion: It was very difficult to obtain consents from Polish immigrants evidencing why research of this group is so minimal. Nevertheless, this limited research resulted with valuable points for those clinicians that work with this population. Clinicians who read this paper will have deeper understanding not only about Polish culture but also how immigration impacts Polish people.
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