When a little knowledge is a dangerous thing: a study of carers' knowledge about dementia, preferred coping style and psychological distress

The aim of this study was to improve understanding of the relationship between carers' existing knowledge about dementia, their coping style and psychological morbidity. Fifty carers and patients attending day services were recruited. Carers were given questionnaires to assess knowledge of dementia, preferred coping style, anxiety, depression and strain. The results indicated that carers who demonstrated more knowledge about the biomedical aspects of dementia were more anxious. Furthermore, carers who had a preferred coping style of monitoring for threat relevant information were more anxious. Understanding more about those factors that are associated with knowledge about dementia will help to identify profiles of carers who are in need of education and in matching individually tailored interventions to carers with specific learning needs.