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Age, gender, and the fear of getting Alzheimer’s disease
- M. Bystad, N. R. Aas, V. Sollid, R. Wynn
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S688-S689
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Introduction
Alzheimer’s Disesase is the most frequent cause of dementia, accounting for approximately 60% of cases. It is characterized by an accumulation of beta amyloid and tau protein in the brain, resulting in the loss of normal brain tissue and cognitive decline, including loss of memory and language. Prior studies have found that this is one of the most feared disorders, possibly because of the associated cognitive decline, our poor ability to prevent and treat the disorder, and its poor prognosis. Prior studies have found different results regarding the importance of age and gender on level of fear.
ObjectivesWe wanted to study the fear of obtaining Alzheimer’s disorder in a Norwegian sample and to examine the importance of age and gender.
MethodsThe Fear of Alzhemer’s Disease Scale (FADS, French et al, Geriatr Psych 2011;27:521-8) was translated into Norwegian for this study, following standard procedures. The questionnaire has 30 items, each responded to on a 5-point likert scale with responses ranging from ‘never’ to ‘always’. The total maximum score was 120 points. Links to the questionnaire were posted on Facebook. Respondents were directed to a site for anonymous and untracable participation. SPSS version 24 was used for statistical analyses. Non-parametrical tests, including the Mann-Whitney U-test, were used to study between-group differences (age below 50/others, male/female).
ResultsThe FADS score was significantly higher (U=5113, Z=-2.236, p=0.025) in the respondents below 50 years (60.00) than in the others (54.93). The FADS score was not significantly different (U=7513, Z=1.673, p=0.094) between men (56.12) and women (59.67).
ConclusionsWe found that the level of fear, on average, was quite high. Those below 50 years were significantly more fearful of the disorder than the older respondents. This might seem counterintuitive, as the disorder is much more common in older people. However, emotional regulation and fear of illness may improve with age (Carstensen et al. Psychol Aging 2011;26:21-33), which might explain our finding. There was no significant gender-related difference in fear of getting Alzheimer’s Disease, which is interesting given that 2/3 of those suffering from the disorder are women. The study was based on a questionnaire posted online, which might have resulted in a bias in participation. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Doctors’ and nurses’ use of expectancy effects in clinical practice
- S. Vambheim, M. Bystad, J. Kirkøen, P. Aslaksen, R. Wynn
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 65 / Issue S1 / June 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 September 2022, p. S687
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Introduction
Positive treatment expectations among patients are associated with reduced symptoms and reduced negative emotions, stress and anxiety. Patient expectations may be influenced by practitioners who focus on increasing positive treatment effects and reducing psychological and physiological stress.
ObjectivesThis study examined clinicians’ self-reported utilization of expectancy effects as additive effects to active treatments.
MethodsWe applied a questionnaire to investigate clinicians’ utilization of patients´ treatment expectations. The items mapped reasons for increasing patient expectations, ways through which this was done, the frequency and efficiency of increasing expectations, and the understanding of underlying mechanisms of increasing patient expectations. Nurses (N=84) and medical doctors (N=49) employed in general practitioners’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes and home health care services, responded anonymously.
ResultsWhen asked if they had tried to influence patient’s expectations to achieve an additive effect to active treatment, 71.2% reported that they had done so at least one time over the last year, 18.5% at least once per month, 16.9% at least once per week and 32.3% at a daily basis. Neither profession nor practitioner sex influenced these results. The two most frequently reported reasons for trying to influence expectations were to increase the effect of an active treatment and to calm the patient. Optimism and empathy were the two most frequently reported ways through which expectations were influenced.
ConclusionsThe strategy of utilizing expectation effects as additive effects to active treatment was frequent among the respondents. The main reported reasons were to increase treatment effects and reduce patients’ stress through expressing optimism and empathy.
DisclosureNo significant relationships.