Understanding Dementia: Knowledge and Risk Factor Awareness Among University Psychology Students

Background Despite dementia being a global public health priority, young adults’ understanding of the condition and associated risk factors remains low. This study investigated knowledge of dementia and its risk factors and correlates (i.e., participants’ age, sex, and education, education of participants’ parents, knowing a person with dementia, and having received a lecture on dementia) of knowledge of dementia risk factors in the understudied group of Psychology university students. High knowledge of dementia risk factors among young adults is key to encourage behavior change and, consequently, their risk of dementia. Moreover, as part of multidisciplinary teams, Psychologists have a key role in the diagnosis and care of dementia. Methods An anonymized cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 400 Psychology students enrolled in a UK university (mean age=19.8 years; 81.6% females). The survey covered socio-demographic aspects, knowledge of dementia, dementia prevention, and dementia risk factors. Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were analysed. Results Only 14.2% of participants correctly defined dementia as involving both cognitive and functional difficulties. Most participants answered correctly on items about preventability of dementia. When asked to freely list dementia risk factors, half did not report any of the 14 factors listed in 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia and 38% did not report any of the 12 factors included in the Lifestyle for BRAin Health (LIBRA) model. Among dementia risk factors listed in these two models, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use, obesity, healthy diet, smoking, education, mental inactivity, were correctly reported by 13.0%-31.4% of participants, the remaining factors were reported by ≤ 5.0% of participants. However, when presented with risk factors included in LIBRA model, only 5.2% did not identify any of the 12 factors. Kidney disease, heart disease and being overweight had the highest knowledge scores (31.7%-40.1% correct answers), whereas lifestyle factors and the heritability component of dementia were less commonly identified as risk factors of dementia. Older age was the only significant correlate of greater knowledge of dementia risk factors. Conclusions While some knowledge of dementia risk factors exists in Psychology students, it is not sufficiently comprehensive to inform lifestyle choices or health behavior change.