STRiDE-Stigma

Exploring dementia stigma in England
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Title: STRiDE-Stigma
Funded by: NIHR Three Schools
Funding amount: £480,000
Location: Plymouth
Dates: 2024–2026
Project partners: London School of Economics and Political Science (CI- Dr Sara Evans-Lacko), University of Nottingham, King's College London, Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Newcastle University, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), and Alzheimer’s Society.
University of Plymouth PI: Dr Nicolas Farina
 

Overview

This project aims to conduct an in-depth exploration of dementia stigma in England, with a particular focus on understanding how stigma manifests across different cultural contexts.
Building on previous research indicating that a high percentage of people with dementia experience discrimination, the project seeks to develop culturally relevant tools to measure stigma and beliefs among people with dementia, carers, and the public. Notably, the tools will be used to investigate how cultural beliefs influence stigma from different ethnic backgrounds.
Ultimately, the findings will be used to create evidence-based, culturally sensitive recommendations for anti-stigma programmes and to inform relevant policy and practice, with the goal of reducing dementia stigma across diverse communities in England.

Objectives

  • Develop tools to measure stigma, beliefs, and experiences among people living with dementia, carers, healthcare practitioners, and the general public, ensuring cultural relevance across diverse groups in England.
  • Explore how cultural beliefs about dementia influence stigma and the lived experiences of people with dementia and their carers from different ethnic backgrounds.
  • Use the findings to develop evidence-based recommendations for anti-stigma programmes that are culturally sensitive and effective in reducing dementia stigma across diverse communities in England and inform policy and practice.

Stigma is a major barrier for people with dementia and can have a profound impact on people's lives. Our project is dedicated to uncovering how culture influences dementia stigma in England. This work is essential to developing effective, culturally sensitive strategies that reduce stigma.

Nicolas FarinaDr Nicolas Farina
Associate Professor in Dementia Research

Context of the issue

People with dementia face numerous challenges, yet the weight of stigma and discrimination often compounds these difficulties. Our previous research found that 85% of people with dementia in the UK reported experiencing discrimination.

How the project addresses the issue

Building on the findings from the 2024 World Alzheimer's Attitudes to Dementia survey, we have an opportunity to explore dementia stigma, focusing on cultural differences. In England, it's crucial to understand how stigma manifests across different cultural contexts and how we can reduce it. This will be achieved through:
  • Secondary analysis of the 2024 World Alzheimer's Report to validate dementia stigma tools.
  • Exploring dementia stigma in people from South Asian, Black African, Black Caribbean, and Arab communities in England using focus groups.
  • Conducting a nationally representative survey of the general public using previous developed dementia stigma tools.
Elderly woman sitting on bed appearing confused alone and excluded