The lived experience of dementia in a couple relationship
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The lived experience of dementia in a couple relationship: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
IRAS ID
148119
Contact name
Suzannah Clark
Contact email
Research summary
It is well documented that we are a rapidly aging population and subsequently there are increasing numbers of people with dementia. Due to this there are a growing number of couples who become caregivers for their partners with dementia. It is therefore important to further understand the impact of the condition. However to date, the majority of research has focused on the carers of people with dementia. There is a paucity of literature investigating the perspectives of couples as to how they experience dementia in their relationship. Some research has attempted to address the impact on couples, but have focused on people with dementia and their partners separately. They do not consider the dyadic perspective of dementia within a couple relationship.
This study aims to explore the lived experience of dementia in a couple relationship where one partner has a mild to moderate dementia. 6-8 couples will be interviewed individually so as to not limit the data. Participants will be recruited from memory clinics within a mental health service for older people. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis will be employed to analyse the transcripts. IPA aims to understand the first person perspective from the third person position, through intersubjective enquiry and analysis. To help improve the credibility, accuracy, validity and transferability of the results triangulation will occur. This will involve member checking of themes; participants will be provided with a proportion of the findings in order to check for authenticity. In addition, the field and academic supervisors will independently read excerpts from the transcripts to identify themes which can then be used for comparison.
It is anticipated that this research will contribute to the literature by revealing the lived experience of couples from the dyadic perspective. The results arising from the research will be disseminated via internal and external publications.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1130
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion