1. An attribution model of stigma towards a person with Alzheimer's disease Perla Werner Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences University of Haifa Israel

2. Alzheimers disease Incurable, degenerative and progressive disease Incurable, degenerative and progressive disease Affects mental, cognitive Affects mental, cognitive and physical functioning

3. AD is the most common type of dementia 6 out of 10 cases of dementia are AD

4. Prevalence There are an estimated 30 million people with dementia worldwide. By 2050, it is projected that this figure will have increased to over 100 million.

5. Stigma and AD It is widely assumed that AD is associated with stigma It is widely assumed that AD is associated with stigma Scant empirical evidence Scant empirical evidence Theory - driven Theory - driven

6. Attribution model Corrigan and colleagues Attributions of responsibility Emotional reactions Discrimination Dangerousness

7. Aim To examine the relationships between causal attributions (e.g., responsibility), familiarity with the disease, dangerousness, emotional responses (pity, anger, fear) and helping and discriminatory behaviors (avoidance, segregation, coercion) towards AD in the lay public To examine the relationships between causal attributions (e.g., responsibility), familiarity with the disease, dangerousness, emotional responses (pity, anger, fear) and helping and discriminatory behaviors (avoidance, segregation, coercion) towards AD in the lay public

8. Methods A nationally representative sample of 1,002 adults A nationally representative sample of 1,002 adults Were interviewed using CATI Were interviewed using CATI Adapted version of the AQ-27 Adapted version of the AQ-27

9. Participants characteristics (n = 1,002) 52.6% F 52.6% F Mean age = 46.5 (SD = 17.7) Mean age = 46.5 (SD = 17.7) Mean number of years of education = 13.5 (SD = 3.4) Mean number of years of education = 13.5 (SD = 3.4) Jewish 83.9% Jewish 83.9%

10. Cognitive attributions

11. Emotional attributions

12. Behavioral attributions

13. Responsibility Dangerousness Pity Help Model for willingness to help (n = 1,002) Chi square = 7.57 df = 3 p = 0.56 NFI -.979 RMSEA =.039 Familiarity -.09** -.08**.44 -.15***.31*** -.08**

14. Model for discrimination Responsibility Coercion Segregation Avoidance Familiarity Dangerousness Fear.31*** -.07*.12*** -.08**. 14***.11**. 64***.30*** -.08* -.16*** Chi square = 12.44 df = 3 p = 0.13 NFI -.990 RMSEA =.024

15. Relationships with gender

16. Relationship with ethnicity

19. Summary of findings Low attributions of responsibility and dangerousness Low attributions of responsibility and dangerousness Low negative feelings Low negative feelings High positive feelings High positive feelings Partial support of an extended version of Attribution Theory Partial support of an extended version of Attribution Theory Minority and younger participants reported less discriminatory behaviors Minority and younger participants reported less discriminatory behaviors

20. Theoretical implications The role of other attributions should be examined The role of other attributions should be examined The role of other emotional reactions should be examined The role of other emotional reactions should be examined The role of ethnicity and culture in the attribution model should be elucidated The role of ethnicity and culture in the attribution model should be elucidated

21. Practical implications Disseminate findings in order to increase early diagnosis Disseminate findings in order to increase early diagnosis Develop and implement programs to increase the familiarity and knowledge about AD Develop and implement programs to increase the familiarity and knowledge about AD Replicate study in professional samples Replicate study in professional samples

22. Thank you