Understanding the impact of dementia on spousal relationships: A qualitative study with female spousal carers of people living with dementia

Van Hout, Elien ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2956-7575, Contreras, Milena, Mioshi, Eneida and Kishita, Naoko ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8453-2714 (2024) Understanding the impact of dementia on spousal relationships: A qualitative study with female spousal carers of people living with dementia. Dementia-International Journal of Social Research and Practice. ISSN 1471-3012

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Abstract

Background. Dementia does not merely affect individuals, the carer and the person living with dementia, but also has a profound impact on their spousal relationship. As such, this study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how dementia affects spousal relationships with a focus on interpersonal (i.e. relationship adjustment, communication engagement and emotional connection between two individuals) and intrapersonal (i.e. loss of self within the context of relationships) dynamics using a qualitative approach. The study also explored how carers adapt to such relationship challenges in the context of dementia care. Methods. A phenomenological approach was used to capture the subjective experiences of female spousal carers, who regularly support their partner living with dementia. A total of nine semi-structured interviews were conducted. Results. Relationship adjustment theme highlighted how learning to acknowledge role shifts from a spouse to a carer is critical for carers to manage relationship difficulties. Emotional connection theme demonstrated the importance of reminiscing about the shared history between dyads to cope with feelings of loss of affective intimacy. Communication engagement theme revealed carers’ need to learn a new way of communicating due to the decrease in meaningful communication and two-way interaction. Sense of self theme highlighted the importance of self-compassion to overcome feelings of self-loss and isolation. Conclusion. Findings suggest that improving the relationship between female spousal carers and their partner living with dementia may require targeted interventions addressing different factors. Such interventions can include a couple's life story approach to enable couples to reminisce about their shared experiences, interactive communication training to enhance meaningful engagements, and a psychological approach such as compassion-focused therapy to overcome emotional challenges and facilitate self-compassion.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Funding information: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: EVH’s studentship was supported by Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Dementia & Complexity in Later Life Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Centre for Japanese Studies Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2024 16:32
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2024 06:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/96490
DOI:	10.1177/14713012241286559

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