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Understanding shared experiences of couples and families in which one person has dementia

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

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Understanding shared experiences of couples and families in which one person has dementia. / Wadham, Olivia.
Lancaster: Lancaster University, 2014. 207 p.

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

Harvard

APA

Wadham, O. (2014). Understanding shared experiences of couples and families in which one person has dementia. [Doctoral Thesis, Lancaster University]. Lancaster University.

Vancouver

Author

Wadham, Olivia. / Understanding shared experiences of couples and families in which one person has dementia. Lancaster : Lancaster University, 2014. 207 p.

Bibtex

@phdthesis{cc1b1d2e67954c15a38f4c75c645e7fe,
title = "Understanding shared experiences of couples and families in which one person has dementia",
abstract = "This thesis explored the co-constructed experiences of couples and families in which one person had a diagnosis of dementia. It includes a literature review, a research paper, a critical appraisal and an ethics section. The literature review is a meta-synthesis of 10 qualitative studies which explored the impact living with dementia can have on the couple relationship, or the impact the couple relationship has on dementia. The synthesis resulted in four interrelated themes: (1) togetherness – continuing as {\textquoteleft}we{\textquoteright} are; (2) upsetting and re-defining the balance – a new {\textquoteleft}normal{\textquoteright} is evolving; (3) sensitive attunement – shielding one{\textquoteright}s partner from the effects of dementia; and (4) resilience – distancing distress and cherishing the present moment. These themes highlighted couples{\textquoteright} shared efforts to maintain aspects of their relationship in the context of dementia. Findings have important implications for services to support couples{\textquoteright} efforts to enhance their sense of couplehood.The research paper extended these findings to explore shared experiences of family units in which one person has dementia. Semi-structured interviews with seven families were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This resulted in five themes (1) conflicting identities: person or {\textquoteleft}dementia patient{\textquoteright}; (2) loneliness and isolation: finding ways to maintain belonging and connection; (3) family support: protecting and enabling; (4) feeling trapped: shifting power and control; and (5) fear and uncertainty: making sense and reigniting hope. Findings have implications for services to consider the whole family system, encouraging connection and belonging to enhance the natural therapeutic capacity of families.Finally, the critical appraisal includes reflections of a number of ethical, methodological and conceptual issues that became pertinent when conducting this research.",
keywords = "dementia, family, relationships, qualitative",
author = "Olivia Wadham",
year = "2014",
language = "English",
publisher = "Lancaster University",
school = "Lancaster University",

}

RIS

TY - BOOK

T1 - Understanding shared experiences of couples and families in which one person has dementia

AU - Wadham, Olivia

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - This thesis explored the co-constructed experiences of couples and families in which one person had a diagnosis of dementia. It includes a literature review, a research paper, a critical appraisal and an ethics section. The literature review is a meta-synthesis of 10 qualitative studies which explored the impact living with dementia can have on the couple relationship, or the impact the couple relationship has on dementia. The synthesis resulted in four interrelated themes: (1) togetherness – continuing as ‘we’ are; (2) upsetting and re-defining the balance – a new ‘normal’ is evolving; (3) sensitive attunement – shielding one’s partner from the effects of dementia; and (4) resilience – distancing distress and cherishing the present moment. These themes highlighted couples’ shared efforts to maintain aspects of their relationship in the context of dementia. Findings have important implications for services to support couples’ efforts to enhance their sense of couplehood.The research paper extended these findings to explore shared experiences of family units in which one person has dementia. Semi-structured interviews with seven families were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This resulted in five themes (1) conflicting identities: person or ‘dementia patient’; (2) loneliness and isolation: finding ways to maintain belonging and connection; (3) family support: protecting and enabling; (4) feeling trapped: shifting power and control; and (5) fear and uncertainty: making sense and reigniting hope. Findings have implications for services to consider the whole family system, encouraging connection and belonging to enhance the natural therapeutic capacity of families.Finally, the critical appraisal includes reflections of a number of ethical, methodological and conceptual issues that became pertinent when conducting this research.

AB - This thesis explored the co-constructed experiences of couples and families in which one person had a diagnosis of dementia. It includes a literature review, a research paper, a critical appraisal and an ethics section. The literature review is a meta-synthesis of 10 qualitative studies which explored the impact living with dementia can have on the couple relationship, or the impact the couple relationship has on dementia. The synthesis resulted in four interrelated themes: (1) togetherness – continuing as ‘we’ are; (2) upsetting and re-defining the balance – a new ‘normal’ is evolving; (3) sensitive attunement – shielding one’s partner from the effects of dementia; and (4) resilience – distancing distress and cherishing the present moment. These themes highlighted couples’ shared efforts to maintain aspects of their relationship in the context of dementia. Findings have important implications for services to support couples’ efforts to enhance their sense of couplehood.The research paper extended these findings to explore shared experiences of family units in which one person has dementia. Semi-structured interviews with seven families were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This resulted in five themes (1) conflicting identities: person or ‘dementia patient’; (2) loneliness and isolation: finding ways to maintain belonging and connection; (3) family support: protecting and enabling; (4) feeling trapped: shifting power and control; and (5) fear and uncertainty: making sense and reigniting hope. Findings have implications for services to consider the whole family system, encouraging connection and belonging to enhance the natural therapeutic capacity of families.Finally, the critical appraisal includes reflections of a number of ethical, methodological and conceptual issues that became pertinent when conducting this research.

KW - dementia

KW - family

KW - relationships

KW - qualitative

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

CY - Lancaster

ER -