Therapeutic Lying in Dementia Care: Attitudes and Knowledge Among Social Workers in Spain

This study explores the use, knowledge, and acceptance of therapeutic lying among social workers in Spain.

A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design was used. Participants were 253 practicing social workers, recruited via purposive sampling through professional associations and institutional networks. Data were collected through an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic and professional characteristics, acceptance and use of therapeutic lying, and prior knowledge/training. Acceptance was measured with the validated16-item Acceptance of Lying to People with Dementia, supplemented by four ad hocitems on previous experience, frequency of use, perceived acceptability, and prior knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Shapiro - Wilk tests for normality, Student'st-tests for group comparisons, and chi-square tests for categorical associations (p < .05).

While 83.8% reported having used therapeutic lying at least once,58.1% were unfamiliar with the term. The Acceptance of Lying to People with Dementia scale showed moderate overall acceptance (M = 50.67), with differences based on sector and prior experience. Socialworkers in gerontological settings and in private or third-sector institutions reported higher usage and acceptance levels.

The findings reveal a gap between practice and formal knowledge,raising concerns about ethical consistency. The study highlights the need for training, institutional protocols, and ethical guidance to support decision-making in dementia care.

Promoting structured reflection on this issue is essential to ensureperson-centered, ethically grounded, and professionally coherent social work practice.