Formal help-seeking intentions for dementia in the Australian public

Associations with stigma

Datos Bibliográficos

ID24215280
AutoresLee‐fay Low (0000-0001-9283-3525, The University of Sydney), Hieu T Le (0000-0001-6812-7778, The University of Sydney), Annica Barcenilla‐wong (0000-0003-2775-9415, The University of Sydney), Lyn Phillipson (0000-0003-2173-0291, University of Wollongong), Meredith Gresham (0000-0002-8717-4964, University of Wollongong), Mark Yates (0000-0001-5845-138X, Deakin University), Caroline Gibson (0000-0002-3774-2601, Deakin University), Edwin C K Tan (0000-0003-2922-8837, The University of Sydney), Amy Tan (0000-0003-2063-4919, The University of Sydney), Michael Camit (0000-0002-7099-3664, Health Literacy Unit, Multicultural Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District , 52 Scrivener Street, Warwick Farm, New South Wales 2017 , Australia), Monica Cations (0000-0002-9262-0463, Flinders University), Kate Laver (0000-0003-0259-2209, Flinders University)
Año2026
Volumen41
Número5
Fecha de publicación2026-09-01
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
EditorialOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/daag146
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas37

To understand dementia stigma and help-seeking intentions amongst middle-aged and older community-dwelling Australians, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in February 2023 amongst Australian adults aged ≥45 years. The survey collected demographic data, prior experience with people with dementia, dementia-related public stigma, and formal and informal help-seeking intentions for self and family members (modified General Help-Seeking Questionnaire). Multivariable regression models were used to examine factors associated with help-seeking intentions. Data from 1364 participants were analysed (41.4% aged ≥65 years; 60.7% women). Most participants reported that, if they observed signs of dementia, they were likely to seek help from family or friends (70.7% for self, 77.1% for family member) and from health professionals (83.7% for self, 82.3% for family member). Participants were significantly more likely to seek help formally than informally. There were no differences in formal help-seeking intentions for self or family member. Formal help-seeking intentions were associated with age, education, and previous formal dementia information seeking. There were small, significant associations between help-seeking intentions and dementia stigma factors relating to personhood, incapacity, and social distance; however, the direction of association varied when help-seeking was for self or a family member. This study demonstrates that help-seeking intentions amongst Australian adults were associated with demographic factors, prior help-seeking experience, and dementia stigma. Cross-sectional, scenario-based studies of help-seeking intentions may not sufficiently capture the relationship between dementia stigma and help-seeking behaviour. Future campaigns to increase help-seeking for dementia should consider targeting both cognitive and behavioural aspects of dementia stigma.

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