Relationships and Coping with Aggression in Dementia v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Continuity and Aggression in Dementia Caregiving Relationships: A Qualitative Exploration of Spousal Caregivers Experiences
IRAS ID
146371
Contact name
Holly Gibbons
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Research summary
Most individuals with dementia are cared for at home by a spouse or other family member. While some carers find aspects of this crucial role rewarding, high levels of stress and burden are often reported. These are consequently linked to outcomes of care for the individual with dementia. Symptoms of dementia have been investigated in terms of their impact on carer burden and stress. Aggressive behaviour has been highlighted as one such source of difficulty.
More recently, aspects of caring relationships have been explored in terms of how the relationship was perceived prior to and following the onset of dementia. A process of seeking and maintaining a sense of continuity in the relationship has been linked with carers’ ability to adapt well to the caring role.
It is important, therefore, to understand how continuity in relationships in dementia, may be influenced by difficult aspects of care, such as aggression. Equally important, is to develop understanding of how carers in continuous or discontinuous relationships experience and respond to difficult aspects of care. Findings may guide therapeutic work towards enhancement of well-being and person-centred care.
Using semi-structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) the present study aims to explore how partners of individuals with dementia experience their relationship when aggression is present as a feature of the dementia, with a focus on the extent to which they maintain a sense of continuity in their relationship and the individual. How the spouse’s sense of continuity/discontinuity in the individual and the relationship might shape their response to aggression, in terms of how they understand it, and how they try to manage it, will also be examined.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1087
Date of REC Opinion
21 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion