How cultural origins influence cognitive performance: a pilot study

Clinical neuropsychology is facing considerable challenges due to the vast migratory flows our society is undergoing. The aim of this research is to study the influence of culture of origin on cognitive performance in an Italian screening test. Three groups of participants fluently speaking Italian were selected based on cultural origin and current place of residence: participants with Italian cultural origins living in Italy (ITA-ITA), participants with foreign cultural origins living in Italy (FOR-ITA) and participants with Italian cultural origins living abroad (ITA-ABR). A questionnaire was developed ad hoc for the study: Interculturality vs. Italian Culture questionnaire. Through this questionnaire two different indexes with independent scoring were measured: interculturality (INT) and closeness to Italian culture (CIC). Cognitive performance was measured with tele-GEMS, a screening test developed in Italy. Cognitive performance was analysed through linear regression models. It was found that belonging to one group or another was a significative predictor of cognitive performance with a greater weight of the membership to the FOR-ITA group. Moreover, it was found that closeness to Italian culture index and interculturality index are both good predictors of cognitive performance with a positive weight of CIC index and a negative weight of INT index.