Repository logo
 

The changing self: The impact of dementia on the personal and social identity of women (findings from the Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life programme).

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of dementia on the selfhood of women, specifically the ways in which changes occur as a result of such a diagnosis. Interviews were conducted with 12 women (recruited from the Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life programme dataset), and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Emergent themes concerned the process of receiving and adjusting to a dementia diagnosis, the emotional and psychological impact of dementia, self-presentation and stigma and the self-enforcement of new boundaries. The analysis showed that dementia had a wide-ranging impact on the selfhood and identity of women, with newfound characteristics associated with the disease leading to a loss of self-esteem, sadness and anger. The women subsequently engaged in the modification of their behaviour, as a means of coming to terms with the losses experienced.

Description

Keywords

dementia, self, self-esteem, selfhood, women, Dementia, Emotions, Female, Humans, Self Concept, Social Identification, Social Stigma

Journal Title

Dementia (London)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1471-3012
1741-2684

Volume Title

21

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/L001853/2)
National Institute for Health Research (ES/L001853/2)