Abstract: Objective To explore the multiple mediating effects of self-stereotyping and subjective memory complaints in the mechanism of self-perceived aging on dementia fear among rural elderly people. Methods Totally 349 rural elderly people were surveyed from July to August 2023, using the General Information Questionnaire, Self-Perceived Aging Scale, Self-Stereotyping Scale, Subjective Memory Complaint Scale, and Dementia Fear Scale, and a chain mediation model was constructed and tested. Results The total score of self-perceived aging, self-stereotyping, subjective memory complaints, and dementia and fear in this group was 54.63±8.41, 25.49±3.79, 18.92±7.14 and 36.48±24.94, respectively. Fear of dementia in rural elderly people was positively correlated with self-perceived aging, self-stereotyping, and subjective memory complaints (all P<0.05). The indirect effect of self-perceived aging on fear of dementia in rural elderly people was established, and the total indirect effect was 0.453. Among them, the specific mediation effects of self-stereotyping and subjective memory complaints were 53.2% and 35.5% respectively. The chain mediation effect of the two was established, accounting for 11.3% of the total indirect effects. Conclusion The chain-mediated effect of self-stereotyping and subjective memory complaints between self-perceived aging and fear of dementia among rural elderly people is established. It is recommended that medical workers pay attention to guiding rural elderly people to establish positive perceptions of aging, reduce self-stereotyping and subjective memory complaints, and thereby reduce the level of fear of dementia.

Key words: rural elderly people, fear of dementia, self-perceived aging, self-stereotyping, subjective memory complaints