Adjustment after a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The impact of coping styles and self-efficacy on mood and quality of life in people recently diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): A longitudinal, mixed-method study.

  • IRAS ID

    159258

  • Contact name

    Tim Gomersall

  • Contact email

    t.gomersall@sheffield.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Sheffield

  • Research summary

    Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterised by a decline in cognitive ability, such as memory or attention, that is greater than would be expected given a person's age, but which does not merit a diagnosis of dementia. While some people with MCI
    do go on to develop dementia, there are others who do not decline further and a third group who have been found to revert to normal levels of cognitive function. As yet little is known about which people with MCI will fall into these three
    groups and what factors distinguish them. In addition, psychological coping styles have been shown to relate to successful adjustment to a range of chronic illnesses, but these relationships are yet to be examined in people with MCI.

    The purpose of this research is therefore twofold. First, we will explore a range of variables in people newly diagnosed with MCI that have been found to be linked to cognitive decline in people with dementia. Second, we will utilise a qualitative, longitudinal approach to explore how participants' experiences of MCI change over time, and the impact such changes have on identity, social participation, and relationships. Participants will complete measures of coping style, mood, quality of life, and cognitive function every 12 months over a 3-year period and will also be interviewed about their experiences. This will allow a detailed analysis of the impact of MCI over a period of time and the opportunity to examine potential relationships between cognitive function with a person’s mood, quality of life, coping style, and identity.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/YH/1140

  • Date of REC Opinion

    26 Sep 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion