Couplehood, cognitive stimulation therapy and dementia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Research into the lived experience of couples, where one spouse is affected by dementia has revealed that type and quality of spousal relationships are intergral to this experience. It is therefore important that we understand how couples relate to each other as they navigate the disruption to their relationship associated with the disease. Dementia impacts on both members of the couple, and can be burdensome, however it can also be an opportunity for growth and increased closeness. Traditionally, research has focused on the experience of spousal care partners rather than on the individual with dementia themselves and there is a lack of knowledge of the view of individuals and their spouse on their joint perspective of the impact of dementia on sense of couplehood. This study aims to address this gap by exploring couples lived experience of dementia and couplehood and the ways in which psychosocial interventions such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy impacts on couples sense of couplehood.
This is a qualitative study which was underpinned by the theoretical and methodological framework of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Face to face semi-structured interviews were conducted with four couples. where one of the partners from each couple had a diagnosis of dementia. In order to gain rich and open dialogue, each partner was interviewed seperately. Four master themes were identified; Navigating Disruption, Re-appraisal, Mindfulness, and Living the New Normal. Results from the data analysis demonstrated that living with and adjusting to dementia is an ever changing process but that couples were determined to get on with their lives and saw dementia as an illness to be faced together. Even as dementia worsened, couples actively worked together to maintain a sense of togetherness. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy was seen as benefical and aided couples in their efforts to preseve couplehood.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Rosalind Willis: orcid.org/0000-0001-6687-5799

ORCID for Athina Vlachantoni: orcid.org/0000-0003-1539-3057

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