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Are Knowledge and Interpersonal Contact Cures for Alzheimer’s Stigma? Data From Caregivers Offer Clues

Stigma and Health
Authors:
Shana Stites at University of Pennsylvania
Shana Stites
Rosalie Schumann
Rosalie Schumann
Rosalie Schumann
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Carolyn Kuz
Carolyn Kuz
Carolyn Kuz
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Kristin Harkins at University of Pennsylvania
Kristin Harkins
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Abstract

Research on caregivers suggests interpersonal contact with persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and higher disease-oriented knowledge may heighten AD stigma, though these same mechanisms are often employed in antistigma campaigns. If we better understand associations among caregiver experience, interpersonal contact, AD knowledge, and AD stigma, we can develop improved ways of reducing stigma and avoid unintended consequences. In a factorial design experiment, 2,371 participants read a vignette describing a fictional person; the vignette varied on clinical symptom stage, AD biomarker result, and treatment availability. Multivariable analyses assessed the effects of caregiver experience, interpersonal contact, and different domains of disease-oriented knowledge on modified Family Stigma in Alzheimer’s Disease Scale (FS-ADS) outcomes. Interaction analyses tested how clinical features may modify those associations. AD caregiver experience was associated with higher reactions on six of the seven FS-ADS domains. Disease-oriented knowledge, independent of content domain, did not substantially affect those associations. However, knowledge of caregiving, treatment, and life impact were associated with lower FS-ADS scores, and knowledge about disease course and risk factors were associated with higher reactions on FS-ADS domains. Knowledge of treatment modified reactions to symptoms and treatment availability. Knowledge of disease course modified reactions to a biomarker result. AD caregiver experience and interpersonal contact did not modify associations between clinical characteristics and FS-ADS domains. Distinct associations among different domains of AD knowledge and stigma outcomes should be considered when developing antistigma campaigns. Failure to do so risks worsening rather than alleviating AD stigma.
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Stigma and Health
Are Knowledge and Interpersonal Contact Cures for Alzheimer’s Stigma?
Data From Caregivers O󰍎er Clues
Shana D. Stites, Rosalie Schumann, Carolyn Kuz, Kristin Harkins, Emily Largent, Abba Krieger, Pamela
Sankar, and Megan Zuelsdor󰍒
Online First Publication, January 13, 2025. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/sah0000601
CITATION
Stites, S. D., Schumann, R., Kuz, C., Harkins, K., Largent, E., Krieger, A., Sankar, P., & Zuelsdor󰍒, M. (2025).
Are knowledge and interpersonal contact cures for Alzheimer’s stigma? Data from caregivers o󰍒er clues.
Stigma and Health. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/sah0000601
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  • GERIATR GERONTOL INT
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Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2020
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The relative contributions of biomarkers, disease modifying treatment and dementia severity to Alzheimer's stigma: A vignette-based experiment
Article
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Dementia stigma reduction (DESeRvE) through education and virtual contact in the general public: A multi-arm factorial randomised controlled trial
Article
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