Stigma and Dementia: an integrative systematic literature review

Abstract

AbstractBackgrounddementia can be defined as a clinical syndrome developed by pathological processes that affect cognitive functioning, which influences the individual’s way of perceiving and understanding the meaning of facts and feelings. Stigma is also a very broad concept, but it can be understood as negative attitudes and prejudices towards individuals who are perceived as different, whether because of a diagnosis, condition, or disease.Methodan integrative systematic literature review was developed to analyze the relationship between stigma and dementia in order to give support to the research question. Drawing upon the Database of Descriptors in Health Sciences (Decs/Mesh), the following descriptors were applied: Estigma e demência (Port.), stigma and dementia (Eng.) estigma y demencia (Spa.). No result on the relationship between these descriptors were found at the Cochrane Library, which may confirm the originality of this review. As for the Open Access Documents, no date limit was applied. The databases used were BVS, PsycInfo, Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, following the PRISMA methodology.ResultThe initial search resulted in 8,127 titles; after the screening and exclusion criteria process, 42 articles were found for reading and categorization: 25 qualitative papers, 12 quantitative, 1 mixed quantitative and qualitative; 4 articles aimed at the validation and analysis of scales and intervention protocols. The articles mainly analyzed people with dementia, their caregivers, and families. All articles, empirical or theoretical, supported the correlation between stigma and dementiaConclusionthe research outcome points out to the possible of analyze stigma in relation to dementia in different cultures, by applying different approach and methods, such as interviews, scales, questionnaires, and observation, among others. Stigma involves beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors which are susceptible to interventions that may improve public awareness of dementia. Further studies and intervention approach are needed to diminish stigma related to dementia.