Alzheimer’s Carers’ Perceptions of Psychological Therapy V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Grounded Theory Analysis of Alzheimer’s Carers’ Perceptions of Psychological Therapy
IRAS ID
219154
Contact name
Lucy Harris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
The Department of Health (2013) reports that an estimated 550,000 people in the UK are caring for someone with dementia. Caring can have a negative impact on carers’ psychological wellbeing (Colombo, Llana-Nozal, Mercier, & Tjadens, 2011) – more so for carers of people with dementia than for carers of other older people (Moise, 2004) - and government policy encourages services to make it easier for carers to access support (Department of Health, 2011). Yet while there has been a considerable research effort to understand the impact of caring, and a growing body of research evaluating the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving carers’ psychological wellbeing, much less attention has been given to carers’ perceptions of psychological interventions such as therapy. There is some indication that dementia carers who have completed therapy found it useful (Elvish, Cawley & Keady, 2014) but also some indication that carers may prefer practical support or support for the care recipient (Jegermalm and Sundström, 2013). There has been limited research which takes into account the impact of different types of dementia on carers, and none appears to have been published which explores the perceptions of carers who have never accessed therapy.
This research will therefore aim to improve our understanding of how carers of people with Alzheimer’s perceive therapy when they have no previous experience of it. Gaining an enhanced understanding of Alzheimer’s carers’ perceptions of therapy, and particularly whether they perceive it as potentially useful or relevant to them, would increase our capacity to effectively promote therapy to carers. Additionally, it would enhance our understanding of the concerns and perceptions carers may bring to therapeutic sessions, potentially enabling these to be explored and addressed. Carers will be recruited to participate in a single interview (lasting 60-90 minutes) exploring their perceptions of therapy, via local organisations.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1515
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion