A Measure of Self for People With Dementia-Version 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Objective Measure of Self for People Living With Dementia
IRAS ID
190354
Contact name
Rosemary Bradley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bradford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
Memory problems can affect a person's sense of self or identity. However, research has shown that good quality care can stop this happening because it is designed to maintain and support a person’s sense of self. The aim of this project is to develop an objective measure of self in people living with dementia. The new measure will be developed for use by researchers and service providers to assess the impact of dementia and dementia care on sense of self in people with memory problems.
A literature review highlighted that there is no suitable measure of self for people with dementia.Studies have demonstrated that self is multi-dimensional and it should be possible to combine evidence from different disciplines (e.g. psychology and sociology) to produce a holistic 'framework' of self in dementia. This will provide a solid base for the development of the new measure. Also, existing measures are typically designed to demonstrate impaired functions rather than identifying retained capacities. Some aspects of self may be impaired more than others in people with dementia. Thus this project aims to develop a measurement tool that can capture people's remaining sense of self.
In consultation with experts in the field, I have developed a draft measure. The next steps, for which I am applying for ethical approval, will be to test out the measure with 20 people with dementia to find out if it is acceptable, whether it is easy to use, and whether it shows promise in measuring self in people with more severe as well as less severe cognitive impairment. Participants will be asked to carry out the test on one occasion, along with background questionnaires of ability, memory and mood, lasting around an hour.
My doctorate is funded by the Alzheimer's Society.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0473
Date of REC Opinion
1 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion