Assessing implicit and explicit dementia stigma in young adults and care-workers

Abstract

This aim of this study was to assess implicit and self-reported stigma towards people with dementia in young adults with no contact or experience ( n = 23), and in care-workers ( n = 17 professional dementia care-workers). Data were analysed to determine whether stigma was related to self-reported levels of depression, anxiety, stress and professional burnout. Forty participants completed the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure and Dementia Attitudes Scale. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to measure depression, anxiety, stress and professional burnout. The young adult group showed statistically significant levels of dementia stigma (on the two “ dementia” trial-types, p = .027 and p = .030). Statistical analyses showed more dementia-positive attitudes in care-workers compared to young adults on the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure and the Dementia Attitudes Scale (both p’s=.021). Spearman’s Rho correlations tests showed that for the care-givers, higher levels of burn-out were associated with more negative attitudes towards people with dementia on both of the Dementia Attitudes Scale subscales (social comfort p<.001 and dementia knowledge p=.005). The results support prior research showing that experience with a stigmatised group can lower stigma and demonstrate the importance of providing a supportive work environment to mitigate burnout.

Exploration of the relationship between stigma and burnout among Greek nurses in dementia care

“…In Shinan‐Altman, Werner, and Cohen () study, participants expressed negative reactions towards dementia which they believed that contributed to emotional exhaustion. These results are in accordance with other studies which found that higher levels of professional burnout in care workers are associated with higher levels of stigmatizing beliefs and behaviours (Kane et al, ; Kelly & Barnes‐Holmes, ).…”

“…One of the factors that predispose to stigma was the lower education level. Education and training have been found beneficial in reducing stigma in previous studies (Cullen, Barnes‐Holmes, Barnes‐Holmes, & Stewart, ; Herrmann et al, ; Kaduszkiewicz et al, ; Kane et al, ; Moyle et al, ; Richardson et al, ).…”

“…The present results are in accordance with the study of Werner et al () who found a significantly negative correlation between willingness to help and burden. Previous studies have also found that caregivers who experienced higher levels of burnout presenting reduced personal accomplishment were holding more stigmatizing beliefs about dementia (Kane et al, ; Kokkonen et al, ).…”

“…However, other research studies about stigma came to different conclusions (Rusch, Angermeyer, & Corrigan, ). Depression, anxiety, stress and burnout have been found to lead to negative attitudes of professionals who care for stigmatized people (Chirwa et al, ; Kane, Murphy, & Kelly, ; Kelly & Barnes‐Holmes, ) although these correlations have not been fully explored in the area of dementia stigma.…”

“…However, there are some research studies exploring the relationship between stigma and burnout of nurses caring for elderly people with dementia in long‐term care. Kane et al () found a negative correlation between burnout and personal accomplishment in professional caregivers while burnout seemed to contribute to more stigmatizing beliefs and knowledge about dementia. This is consistent with the study results of Kokkonen, Cheston, Dallos, and Smart () who found that professional caregivers who were demonstrating higher levels of positive attitudes towards people with dementia had higher levels of personal accomplishment.…”