Work

Anticipated Stigma and Dementia-Related Anxiety in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: . Heightened awareness and perceived negativity of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) may increase health-related concerns about developing ADRD, also called dementia-related anxiety. Anticipating greater levels of ADRD stigma was expected to be associated with greater dementia-related anxiety. Middle-aged and older adults ( N = 183, aged 40–80, M = 59.57) responded to online questionnaires about anticipated ADRD stigma, ADRD exposure, dementia-related anxiety, and potential psychosocial correlates of dementia-related anxiety. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that self-perceived ADRD risk, ADRD exposure, and anticipated stigma remained significantly associated with dementia-related anxiety, after controlling for demographic variables. Reducing ADRD stigma may ease dementia-related anxiety, an area for future research.

Source: GeroPsych

DOI: 10.1024/1662-9647/a000234

Authors: Molly Maxfield, Jeff Greenberg

Institutions: University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Arizona

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging