Waite, Allyson;
(1998)
Life events, social support and deprssion in dementia.
Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy.), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Recent research has highlighted the influence of psychosocial factors on the course of dementia and previous studies have demonstrated an association between the experience of life events and the onset of depression. This study aimed to investigate the interrelationships between social factors, specifically life events, and depression in dementia sufferers and their carers. Seventy two dementia sufferers and their carers were interviewed using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS). Demographic information and data relating to quality of relationship between carers and dementia sufferers, social support and confiding relationships were collected. Depression in dementia sufferers was measured using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) and in carers using self report methods. A sample of dementia sufferers were interviewed using qualitative methods to elicit their awareness and experience of stressful life events. The findings revealed a significant association between life events and depression in dementia sufferers. There was no relationship between quality of relationship, social support or confiding relationship and depression. Depression in carers was associated with two factors; the presence of depression in dementia sufferers and living with the dementia sufferer. Furthermore, the impact of carer depression appeared to mediate the association between life events and depression in dementia sufferers. There was no significant relationship between demographic factors, quality of relationship or social support and depression in carers. This study therefore supports the importance of psychosocial factors in dementia and the clinical implications of such are discussed.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | D.Clin.Psy. |
| Title: | Life events, social support and deprssion in dementia |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Thesis digitised by ProQuest. |
| Keywords: | Psychology; Dementia |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10099036 |
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