Self-compassion in carers of people living with dementia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Self-compassion in informal carers for people living with dementia: A grounded theory study.
IRAS ID
255544
Contact name
Sarah Butchard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore how self-compassion is conceptualised in informal family carers for people living with dementia. Also, it aims to develop a theoretical model to explain what is understood by the construct self-compassion within this context. Compassion encompasses sensitivity to the experience of suffering complemented by a deep commitment to alleviate suffering. Self-compassion involves relating to ourselves as the object of care, directing compassion inwardly.
Carers can experience high levels of unmet needs, leading to caregiver burnout and poorer outcomes for the care recipient. Difficulties with caregiver distress over time could lead to poor quality of life, depression, early institutionalisation and early mortality for the person living with dementia. Directing compassion towards the self can help to protect the emotional energy needed to serve others. Exploring this construct may provide clarity of how self-compassion is understood from the carer perspective. This could inform meaningful clinical interventions centered around increasing self-compassion. This could help to alleviate psychological distress in carers, and possibly support the quality of care received by the person with dementia.
An interview schedule will be developed, and The University of Liverpool Expert by Experience (LExE) Group will be consulted to co-produce questions. All interviews will be recorded on a Dictaphone. This study will apply a qualitative methodology, using a social constructionist grounded theory approach to explore the interview data and develop a theoretical model.
The study will be funded by the University of Liverpool. The results will be shared via a journal article, thesis report and presented to participants verbally and in a summary report.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0020
Date of REC Opinion
25 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion