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The effects of exposure to scenarios about dementia on stigma and attitudes toward dementia care in a Chinese community

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2011

Sheung-Tak Cheng ,
Linda C. W. Lam ,
Liliane C. K. Chan ,
Alexander C. B. Law ,
Ada W. T. Fung ,
Wai-chi Chan ,
Cindy W. C. Tam  and
Wai-man Chan
Sheung-Tak Cheng*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong
Linda C. W. Lam
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Liliane C. K. Chan
Affiliation:
Hong Kong College of Technology, Hong Kong
Alexander C. B. Law
Affiliation:
Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong
Ada W. T. Fung
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Wai-chi Chan
Affiliation:
Shatin Hospital, Hong Kong
Cindy W. C. Tam
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Wai-man Chan
Affiliation:
Department of Health, Hong Kong
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Sheung-Tak Cheng, Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong. Phone: +852 2948 6563; Fax: +852 2948 7702. Email: takcheng@ied.edu.hk.
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Abstract

Background: This study investigated whether brief exposure to information has any effect on stigmatizing attitudes towards older people with dementia, and how people responded to this medical diagnosis.

Methods: 494 adults were randomly assigned to three groups differentiated by experimental conditions. Group A (control) responded to questions on stigma directly. Group B (symptom) read two vignettes that described the symptoms of two fictitious individuals with dementia, before answering questions on stigma. Group C (label) read the same vignettes which ended with a statement that the person was recently diagnosed with dementia by a physician. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, together with other pre-existing between-subjects factors.

Results: Brief exposure to information about dementia led to a statistically significant reduction in stigma (Groups B, C < A), regardless of whether the diagnostic label of “dementia” was included or not. Moreover, lower stigma was reported by persons who knew a relative or friend with dementia, who were younger and more educated, and who thought dementia was treatable.

Conclusions: As stigmatizing attitudes toward dementia are still a hindrance to early help-seeking in Asian communities, the findings suggest that community education may play a useful role in alleviating this barrier to early detection and intervention.

Keywords

dementiastigmapublic education
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 9 , November 2011 , pp. 1433 - 1441
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

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