This thesis comprises three main sections. The first is a literature review on the influence of marital relationship on the experience of spouse carers of people with dementia. Due to methodological weaknesses findings need to be interpreted with caution, however, the research suggests that positive premorbid and concurrent relationships are indicative of greater wellbeing in spouse carers, and also that dementia impacts negatively on marital relationship. Implications for clinical practice and ideas for future research are explored. Section Two is a report on a study exploring spouse carers' experience of their marital relationship whilst caring for a husband or wife with severe dementia. Ten spouse carers (six wives and four husbands) of people suffering from severe dementia participated in a semi-structured interview which was transcribed and analysed in accordance with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Five interrelated processes with 19 sub-themes were identified; Establishing connections and forming a lasting relationship, Experiencing dementia as a threat to the relationship, Attempting to maintain the existence of a relationship, Desire to care and Experiencing the impact of caring on wellbeing. Implications for clinical practice and further research are discussed. The third section provides a critical appraisal of the research process and includes an exposition of key lessons learnt, future Continuing Professional Development needs and personal reflections on future functioning as a researcher within the role of a Clinical Psychologist.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:444972 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Brown, Petrina S. |
| Publisher | University of Sheffield |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/10300/ |
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