Maintaining Social Connections in Dementia: A Qualitative Synthesis

Birt, Linda; Griffiths, Rebecca; Charlesworth, Georgina; Higgs, Paul; Orrell, Martin; Leung, Phuong; Poland, Fiona

Abstract

The clinical symptoms of dementia include difficulty with speech, poor short-term memory, and changes in behavior. These symptoms can affect how the person with dementia understands and performs in social interactions. This qualitative review investigated how people with mild to moderate dementia managed social connections. A systematic search of social science databases retrieved 13 articles; data were synthesized using thematic analysis. Results established the work undertaken by people with dementia to maintain and present a social persona seen as socially acceptable. Interpretations are contextualized within Goffman and Sabat’s theories on “self.” People with dementia were agentic in impression management: undertaking work to maintain recognized social roles, while being aware of when their illness led to others discrediting them. Wider recognition of strategies used to maintain a social self could inform interventions designed to increase capability and confidence in co-managing social connections following dementia diagnosis.

Citation

Birt, L., Griffiths, R., Charlesworth, G., Higgs, P., Orrell, M., Leung, P., & Poland, F. (2019). Maintaining Social Connections in Dementia: A Qualitative Synthesis. Qualitative Health Research, https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732319874782

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 10, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 25, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 25, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 7, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 7, 2019
• Journal: Qualitative Health Research
• Print ISSN: 1049-7323
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-7557
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732319874782
• Keywords: Agency; Dementia; Sociology; Self; stigma; Social construction; Goffman; Sabat; Qualitative; Literature review; Europe; North America; Canada
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2773369
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1049732319874782