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Background <p>Fathers occupy a distinctive and influential role in shaping children’s developmental trajectories and health-related behaviours. However, their perspectives on brain health education and dementia risk reduction remains largely absent from the literature. Despite growing recognition that modifiable risk factors for dementia operate across the life course, little is known about how fathers view brain health or perceive their role in fostering protective behaviours in their children. The present study seeks to examine how fathers conceptualise brain health, their attitudes towards dementia prevention, and their perceived responsibilities in promoting brain health and reducing dementia risk in their children.</p> Methods <p>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian fathers of primary school-aged children. Interviews explored understandings of brain health, attitudes toward dementia risk reduction, and perceived paternal responsibilities in promoting children’s long-term cognitive wellbeing. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes across accounts.</p> Results <p>Twenty fathers participated (Mean age = 39.70, SD = 6.62, Range = 27–53). Three themes were identified: paternal insight and decision-making influence, which included awareness of dementia risk and its impact on health-related choices; perceived barriers and opportunities in childhood brain health education, including developmental timing, feasibility, and contextual constraints; and constructions of the paternal role, highlighting responsibility, role modelling, and intergenerational influence. Fathers articulated both willingness and uncertainty regarding engagement in dementia risk reduction messaging.</p> Conclusion <p>Fathers represent critical yet under-recognised agents in intergenerational brain health promotion. Their modelling of behaviours and health attitudes may shape children’s long-term dementia risk trajectories. Interventions seeking to embed dementia risk reduction within early-life contexts should incorporate father-inclusive strategies and further investigate the distinctive contributions fathers make to cognitive and developmental health.</p>

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Fathers’ perspectives on brain health education and the promotion of dementia risk reduction for their primary school aged children

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月10日

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  • Joyce Siette,
  • Andrew Gwilliam,
  • Elisabeth Duursma

摘要

Background

Fathers occupy a distinctive and influential role in shaping children’s developmental trajectories and health-related behaviours. However, their perspectives on brain health education and dementia risk reduction remains largely absent from the literature. Despite growing recognition that modifiable risk factors for dementia operate across the life course, little is known about how fathers view brain health or perceive their role in fostering protective behaviours in their children. The present study seeks to examine how fathers conceptualise brain health, their attitudes towards dementia prevention, and their perceived responsibilities in promoting brain health and reducing dementia risk in their children.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian fathers of primary school-aged children. Interviews explored understandings of brain health, attitudes toward dementia risk reduction, and perceived paternal responsibilities in promoting children’s long-term cognitive wellbeing. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes across accounts.

Results

Twenty fathers participated (Mean age = 39.70, SD = 6.62, Range = 27–53). Three themes were identified: paternal insight and decision-making influence, which included awareness of dementia risk and its impact on health-related choices; perceived barriers and opportunities in childhood brain health education, including developmental timing, feasibility, and contextual constraints; and constructions of the paternal role, highlighting responsibility, role modelling, and intergenerational influence. Fathers articulated both willingness and uncertainty regarding engagement in dementia risk reduction messaging.

Conclusion

Fathers represent critical yet under-recognised agents in intergenerational brain health promotion. Their modelling of behaviours and health attitudes may shape children’s long-term dementia risk trajectories. Interventions seeking to embed dementia risk reduction within early-life contexts should incorporate father-inclusive strategies and further investigate the distinctive contributions fathers make to cognitive and developmental health.