Work

Control Beliefs after a Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: The Need to Foster Resilience

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: Positive adaptation, like higher control beliefs, following a disability diagnosis is important to buffer against excess disability; however, no study has examined how the recent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) impacts control beliefs. The current study addresses this gap in the literature. Method: We use data from the 2012–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Propensity score weighting was used to address the systematic selection of an ADRD diagnosis to understand how control beliefs (perceived constraints and mastery) are impacted two years following a diagnosis. Results: A new diagnosis of ADRD was associated with a lower mastery score two years later, regardless of baseline functional ability (b = -0.652, p < .001). No associations were noted between a new ADRD diagnosis and perceived constraints. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a recent diagnosis of ADRD has negative implications for mastery, which may facilitate excess disability.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology

DOI: 10.1177/07334648241282778

Authors: Addam Reynolds, Takashi Amano, Clara Scher, Yuane Jia

Institutions: University of Southern California, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers Health

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

Funders: University of Michigan, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging