Factors associated with the mental health of early-career dementia researchers : An international cross-sectional survey
Waters-Harvey, Bryony ; Heins, Pascale ; Heffenan, Eithne ; Wuestefeld, Anika LU
; Shaaban, C Elizabeth
; Smith, Adam
; Folarin, Royhaan
and Bartels, Sara Laureen
(2026)
In Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association
22(4).
p.1-14
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early-career researchers (ECRs) play a vital role in scientific progress; however, academic environments and personal characteristics may influence their mental health and capacity to work. This study explored factors associated with mental health among ECRs in dementia research (ECDRs).
METHODS: We analyzed data from an international cross-sectional survey of 283 ECDRs using a logistic regression to examine associations between demographic, work-related, and psychosocial factors and self-reported mental health conditions. Gender interactions were tested, and significant variables were included in a multivariable model.
RESULTS: In this sample, imposter syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 13.04), financial problems (OR =... (More)
BACKGROUND: Early-career researchers (ECRs) play a vital role in scientific progress; however, academic environments and personal characteristics may influence their mental health and capacity to work. This study explored factors associated with mental health among ECRs in dementia research (ECDRs).
METHODS: We analyzed data from an international cross-sectional survey of 283 ECDRs using a logistic regression to examine associations between demographic, work-related, and psychosocial factors and self-reported mental health conditions. Gender interactions were tested, and significant variables were included in a multivariable model.
RESULTS: In this sample, imposter syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 13.04), financial problems (OR = 3.08), being aged 25 to 34 years (OR = 3.69), and identifying as non-heterosexual (OR = 4.10) were significantly associated with higher odds of reporting a mental health condition. No significant gender interactions were identified.
DISCUSSION: Mental health among ECDRs appears particularly affected by imposter syndrome, financial strain, age, and sexual orientation. Targeted support addressing these factors may help sustain the dementia research workforce.
(Less)
- author
- Waters-Harvey, Bryony
; Heins, Pascale
; Heffenan, Eithne
; Wuestefeld, Anika
LU
; Shaaban, C Elizabeth
; Smith, Adam
; Folarin, Royhaan
and Bartels, Sara Laureen
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-04
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Humans, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Male, Dementia/psychology, Mental Health, Research Personnel/psychology, Adult, Surveys and Questionnaires, Middle Aged
- in
- Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association
- volume
- 22
- issue
- 4
- article number
- e71364
- pages
- 1 - 14
- publisher
- Wiley
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:41988878
- scopus:105035824492
- ISSN
- 1552-5279
- DOI
- 10.1002/alz.71364
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- © 2026 The Author(s). Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.
- id
- 6674b015-b89c-42c7-aa9f-31e775bf55a7
- date added to LUP
- 2026-04-17 10:19:20
- date last changed
- 2026-06-02 05:02:06
@article{6674b015-b89c-42c7-aa9f-31e775bf55a7,
abstract = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Early-career researchers (ECRs) play a vital role in scientific progress; however, academic environments and personal characteristics may influence their mental health and capacity to work. This study explored factors associated with mental health among ECRs in dementia research (ECDRs).</p><p>METHODS: We analyzed data from an international cross-sectional survey of 283 ECDRs using a logistic regression to examine associations between demographic, work-related, and psychosocial factors and self-reported mental health conditions. Gender interactions were tested, and significant variables were included in a multivariable model.</p><p>RESULTS: In this sample, imposter syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 13.04), financial problems (OR = 3.08), being aged 25 to 34 years (OR = 3.69), and identifying as non-heterosexual (OR = 4.10) were significantly associated with higher odds of reporting a mental health condition. No significant gender interactions were identified.</p><p>DISCUSSION: Mental health among ECDRs appears particularly affected by imposter syndrome, financial strain, age, and sexual orientation. Targeted support addressing these factors may help sustain the dementia research workforce.</p>}},
author = {{Waters-Harvey, Bryony and Heins, Pascale and Heffenan, Eithne and Wuestefeld, Anika and Shaaban, C Elizabeth and Smith, Adam and Folarin, Royhaan and Bartels, Sara Laureen}},
issn = {{1552-5279}},
keywords = {{Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Male; Dementia/psychology; Mental Health; Research Personnel/psychology; Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Middle Aged}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{4}},
pages = {{1--14}},
publisher = {{Wiley}},
series = {{Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association}},
title = {{Factors associated with the mental health of early-career dementia researchers : An international cross-sectional survey}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.71364}},
doi = {{10.1002/alz.71364}},
volume = {{22}},
year = {{2026}},
}