Description
Background: Dementia increasingly challenges healthcare systems, and evidence supports lifestyle-based risk reduction. Through interviews (https://doi.org/n8kd) and questionnaires (https://doi.org/gt74n4), we uncovered how socioeconomic position (SEP) influences dementia risk reduction. This prompted further study into SEP-related differences in dementia risk, comorbidity, lifestyle, and behavioral determinants.Methods: An extension of Confidence Interval-Based Estimation of Relevance (CIBER; https://doi.org/ghtfz9) was used to visualize relevant group differences in behavioral determinants. This to-be-released R function supported the identification of SEP-related differences in psychological determinants of behaviors that contribute to dementia risk. For example, to explore differences in attitudes towards physical activity, perceived norms about diet, and perceived control over alcohol intake.
Findings: In our Dutch sample (3,341), individuals in low SEP had more frequently health conditions or engaged in behaviors that elevated dementia risk. Compared to those in middle and high SEP, they were more aware of their non-adherence to lifestyle recommendations, had lower self-confidence in engaging in sports, perceived healthy food as more expensive, experienced less pleasure from drinking alcohol, and had lower confidence in their ability to quit smoking. Additionally, they felt their behavior as less influenced by their environment, habits, and social influences.
Discussion: Adults in low SEP have higher risk for dementia and have the most potential for lifestyle-related risk reduction. Addressing SEP-related differences in behavioral determinants is vital to ensure equitable access to and effective preventive efforts. Our findings underscore the necessity for (newly) tailored, co-designed individual as well as environmental strategies that effectively address SEP-related differences in determinants of behavior to reduce dementia risk across all segments of society.
| Period | 25 Aug 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 39th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Groningen, NetherlandsShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |