Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The co-construction of couplehood in dementia.
AU - Molyneaux, Victoria
AU - Butchard, S.
AU - Simpson, Jane
AU - Murray, Craig
N1 - PG Intake 2006
PY - 2012/7
Y1 - 2012/7
N2 - Much research has investigated the impact of dementia on spousal relationships. Most often this is from the point of view of the spouse, but occasionally people with dementia are interviewed independently or in parallel. The current study was novel in its aim to understand ‘couplehood’ as it is co-constructed by the couple when one partner has dementia and employed an innovative design that involved interviewing couples together about their relationship. Using grounded theory methodology, the study identified the changing identities within couplehood and the strategies couples employ to maintain their relationship, including normalizing, externalizing, sharing the experience and reframing the experience in light of the past. These findings are discussed in relation to other relevant research and suggest that co-constructed accounts of couplehood are valuable not only when researching the experiences of couples with dementia but also in their clinical assessment and treatment.
AB - Much research has investigated the impact of dementia on spousal relationships. Most often this is from the point of view of the spouse, but occasionally people with dementia are interviewed independently or in parallel. The current study was novel in its aim to understand ‘couplehood’ as it is co-constructed by the couple when one partner has dementia and employed an innovative design that involved interviewing couples together about their relationship. Using grounded theory methodology, the study identified the changing identities within couplehood and the strategies couples employ to maintain their relationship, including normalizing, externalizing, sharing the experience and reframing the experience in light of the past. These findings are discussed in relation to other relevant research and suggest that co-constructed accounts of couplehood are valuable not only when researching the experiences of couples with dementia but also in their clinical assessment and treatment.
KW - couples
KW - dementia
KW - grounded theory
U2 - 10.1177/1471301211421070
DO - 10.1177/1471301211421070
M3 - Journal article
VL - 11
SP - 483
EP - 502
JO - Dementia
JF - Dementia
SN - 1471-3012
IS - 4
ER -