Understanding Health Beliefs and Health Behaviors in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: There are significant public health benefits to delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in individuals at risk. However, adherence to brain healthy behaviors is low. The Health Belief Model proposes that specific beliefs are mediators of behavior change. Objective: To characterize health belief measures from the Science of Behavior Change Research Network (SBCRN) in an older adult population and associations between health beliefs, AD risk, and current health behaviors. Methods: A total of 172 individuals from the Rhode Island AD Prevention Registry participated. SBCRN health belief measures included assessments of future time perspective, self-efficacy, deferment of gratification, and consideration of future consequences. Outcome measures included individual AD risk index score, dementia risk awareness, and lifestyle behaviors including physical, cognitive, and social activity. Results: Participants who were older had higher scores for AD risk, lower future time perspective, and lower generalized self-efficacy (all at p < 0.001). Higher generalized self-efficacy was related to increased physical activity ( p < 0.010). Higher future time perspective ( p < 0.001) and generalized self-efficacy ( p = 0.48) were associated with lower AD risk score. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) was associated with lower self-efficacy, ability to delay gratification, and a less expansive future time perspective. Conclusions: Greater self-efficacy and perceived future time remaining were associated with lower AD risk and greater engagement in physical activity. SCD was associated with health beliefs that may negatively affect engagement in positive brain health behaviors. Assessment of and psychoeducation about these intrapersonal health belief constructs may be important targets for behavioral interventions to reduce AD risk.