Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Dementia Literacy Assessment (DeLA)

Introduction: This study aims to culturally adapt the Dementia Literacy Assessment (DeLA) scale into Turkish and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The DeLA introduces an innovative approach by employing narrative-based storytelling, rather than conventional didactic methods, to assess dementia literacy and to challenge prevailing societal misconceptions. Methods: The study comprised procedures including linguistic equivalence testing, expert consensus (ICC = 0.88), and readability analysis. The sample consisted of 120 participants (mean age: 60.88 ± 8.72 years). Participants completed a pre-test, read two culturally adapted stories, and subsequently completed a post-test. Psychometric evaluation included KR-20 reliability coefficients and corrected item-total correlations. Results: The mean DeLA score increased significantly from 7.71 ± 1.95 to 8.54 ± 1.99 (p < 0.05), corresponding to an overall improvement of 14%. The greatest increase was observed among male participants (25.01%). Correct response rates to the statement that “forgetfulness is a normal part of aging” improved by 47.3%. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with KR-20 values of 0.701 (pre-test) and 0.734 (post-test). Education level, family history of dementia, and caregiving experience were significantly associated with higher post-test performance (p < 0.05). Discussion: Narrative-based assessments such as the DeLA may bridge gaps in dementia knowledge more effectively than traditional approaches by directly addressing deeply rooted cultural myths, including the normalization of forgetfulness. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the DeLA is a valid and reliable instrument with high sensitivity for assessing dementia literacy. Its narrative-based format effectively challenges deeply ingrained cultural misconceptions. The scale offers a robust framework for epidemiological research and public health initiatives aimed at reducing stigma and promoting early diagnosis within Turkey’s aging population.