Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Dementia-Related Stigma Among Mothers of Adolescents in the Pre- and Current COVID-19 Period: An Observational Study Using Population-Based Cohort Data.

BACKGROUND

Middle-aged adults may be the ideal target group for dementia-related stigma reduction interventions to encourage the utilization of services among those who may become family caregivers. Neighborhood social cohesion may diminish dementia-related stigma, particularly in terms of perceived public attitudes. The COVID-19 pandemic can further negatively impact perceived public stigma.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between neighborhood social cohesion and dementia-related stigma during the pre- and current COVID-19 period.

METHODS

We employed a cross-sectional design using data from a large population-based cohort, the Tokyo Teen Cohort, in Japan. Overall, 2,469 mothers of 16-year-old adolescents self-completed a questionnaire comprising nine dementia-related stigma questions evaluating perceived public and personal attitudes. Neighborhood social cohesion was assessed using a five-item instrument. The participants were divided into two groups according to the time of assessment: prior to the pandemic's onset (February 2019-March 2020) and during the pandemic (April 2020-July 2021). A multiple regression analysis of stigma was performed using neighborhood social cohesion as an independent variable, and caring experience, age, educational level, and working status as covariates.

RESULTS

Personal and perceived public stigma were significantly lower in participants who perceived greater neighborhood social cohesion. However, level of personal and perceived public stigma did not differ between pre- and during the pandemic period.

CONCLUSION

Neighborhood social cohesion may be a modifiable factor for dementia-related stigma. A localized intervention to enhance social cohesion in the neighborhood community would promote the utilization of services among those who may become family caregivers.