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What predicts whether caregivers of people with dementia find meaning in their role?
- Authors:
- QUINN Catherine, CLARE Linda, WOODS Robert T.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 27(11), November 2012, pp.1195-1202.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Even though informal caregiving for dementia sufferers is a stressful endeavour, recent research has focused on the positive aspects of providing care. However, there has been little exploration of the factors linked to caregivers identifying positive aspects of providing care. This study examined the predictors of finding meaning in caregiving. Questionnaire respondents included 447 caregivers of people with dementia who were in receipt of a specialist nursing service. The questionnaire contained measures of meaning, relationship quality, caregivers' motivations to provide care, role captivity and caregiving competence. Findings indicated that higher meaning was associated with being a spousal caregiver, providing greater hours of care, higher religiosity, a better pre-caregiving and current relationship quality, higher competence, lower role captivity, higher intrinsic motivations and higher extrinsic motivations. Analyses indicated that variance in finding meaning was significantly predicted by high religiosity, high competence, high intrinsic motivations and low role captivity. The authors concluded that interventions should help caregivers focus on positive aspects of providing care to enhance their feelings of competence and well-being.
Attachment representations in people with dementia and their carers: implications for well-being within the dyad
- Authors:
- NELIS Sharon M., CLARE Linda, WHITAKER Christopher J.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(7), September 2012, pp.845-854.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Developing dementia may activate attachment feelings and behaviours in people with dementia (PwD) and their carers. This study aimed to provide information on the nature and concordance of attachment patterns within the dyad and to examine the relative contribution of attachment representations in PwD and carers to the well-being of both parties. Ninety-seven PwD and their carers from a North Wales memory clinic completed categorical and dimensional ratings of attachment. PwD also rated their self-concept, mood and quality of life. Carers rated the functional ability of PwD and neuropsychiatric symptoms and measures of subjective well-being. PwD reported more insecure than secure attachment. Attachment security for PwD was related to more positive self-concept and less symptoms of anxiety. Mood and self-concept were strong predictors of quality of life. Carer attachment security was related to their psychological health. PwD working models of attachment did not predict carer well-being and vice versa. The authors concluded that attachment representations may be important for the psychological well-being of PwD and carers, but there was no evidence of the reciprocal nature of attachment.
The experience of living with dementia in residential care: an interpretative phenomenolgical analysis
- Authors:
- CLARE Linda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 48(6), December 2008, pp.711-720.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The subjective psychological experience of people with moderate to severe dementia living in residential care is insufficiently understood. This study aimed to explore the subjective experience of life with dementia in residential care from the perspective of the person with dementia, and to understand the psychological impact of being in this situation. This was an exploratory qualitative study. Eighty individuals with dementia who were living in residential care homes in England and Wales engaged in unstructured conversations with a researcher. The transcripts of the resultant 304 conversations were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis in order to develop a thematic account. The experience of living with dementia in residential care was fundamentally one of experiencing difficult and distressing emotions relating to loss, isolation, uncertainty, fear, and a sense of worthlessness. Participants generally tried to cope by accepting and making the best of things and affirming their past sense of self and identity, but some also expressed frustration and anger. Implications: Participants were able to describe aspects of their situation and their emotional response to it, grounded in a strong retained sense of self and identity. The participants' experience emphasizes the importance of improving the living situation of elders with dementia in residential care settings.