Effective for whom? A review of psychological and social intervention recommendations in European dementia care guidelines through the lenses of social health and intersectionality
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Published Version
Date
2025
Authors
Neal, David
Bartels, Sara Laureen
Berdai Chaouni, Saloua
Caprioli, Thais
Comas-Herrera, Adelina
Chattat, Rabih
Diaz, Ana
Dröes, Rose-Marie
Faulkner, Thomas
Felding, Simone Anna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Published Version
Abstract
In dementia care, access to effective psychosocial interventions is often addressed by evidence-based guidelines for care providers. However, it is unclear if current guidelines consider personal characteristics that may impact intervention effectiveness. This study investigates if, and within what framing, dementia care guidelines in Europe address what is effective and for whom. A review of 47 guidelines from 12 European countries was conducted. Content analysis focused on (i) if guidelines recommended specific psychosocial interventions, and how guidelines referred to (ii) social health, (iii) the intersection of social positioning, and (iv) inequities in care or outcomes. Thirty-five guidelines (74%) recommended specific psychosocial interventions. Around half referenced aspects of social health and of intersectionality. Thirteen guidelines (28%) referenced inequities. Social health was not explicitly recognised as a mechanism of psychosocial interventions. Only age and comorbidity were consistently considered to impact interventions’ effectiveness. Inequities were acknowledged to arise from within-country regional variations and individual economic status, but were not linked to (intersectional) individual societal positions such as sex and/or gender, sexuality, and/or religion. The results between European countries were heterogeneous. Current guidelines offer little insight into what works for whom. Policymakers and guideline developers should work with researchers, generating and translating evidence into policy.
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Keywords
Dementia , Diversity , Equity , Guideline , Intersectionality , Intervention , Social health
Citation
Neal, D., Bartels, S. L., Berdai Chaouni, S., Caprioli, T., Comas-Herrera, A., Chattat, R., Diaz, A., Dröes, R.M., Faulkner, T., Felding, S. A. and Franco-Martin, M. (2025) 'Effective for whom? A review of psychological and social intervention recommendations in European dementia care guidelines through the lenses of social health and intersectionality', Behavioral Sciences, 15(4), p.457. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040457