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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objectives: Relationship quality (RQ) between a person with dementia and a family carer may influence their health and quality of life. However, evidence regarding its course and influencing factors
is limited. We aimed to explore RQ trajectories in dementia, and identify predictors of change.
Methods: We analysed longitudinal data from a cohort of 350 community-dwelling people with
dementia and their informal carers, participating in the Actifcare study in eight European countries.
The Positive Affect Index, rated separately by both people with dementia and their carers, assessed
RQ. Other measures included the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (regarding persons with
dementia), and the Relative Stress Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale and Lubben Social Network Scale
(for carers). Trajectories and influencing factors were explored applying a latent growth model (LGM).
Results: RQ in the group of carers declined over 1year, but RQ scores for the persons with dementia
did not change. Higher stress in carers negatively influenced their baseline RQ ratings. Carer sense of
coherence and being a spouse were associated with more positive baseline RQ carer assessments.
Higher levels of neuropsychiatric symptoms were linked to decline in carers’ RQ, whereas social support
was associated with more positive RQ trajectories.
Conclusion: This study provides a valuable insight into the course of RQ. LGM proved useful to explore
the factors that influence RQ trajectories and variability within- and between-persons. Our findings
emphasise the importance of carer-perceived social support and sense of coherence, and of reducing
neuropsychiatric symptoms, in maintaining a good RQ.
Description
Keywords
Alzheimer’s disease Family caregivers Longitudinal studies Sense of coherence Neuropsychiatric symptoms Social support
Citation
Marques, M. J., Tan, E. Y. L., Woods, B., Jelley, H., Kerpershoek, L., Hopper, L., Irving, K., Bieber, A., Stephan, A., Sköldunger, A., Sjölund, B.-M., Selbaek, G., Røsvik, J., Zanetti, O., Portolani, D. M., Marôco, J., de Vugt, M., Verhey, F., & Gonçalves-Pereira, M. (2021). Trajectories of relationship quality in dementia: a longitudinal study in eight European countries. Aging & Mental Health, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2021.1969641
Publisher
Routledge