Sexual Expression in Persons Living with Dementia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Sexual Expression in Persons Living with Dementia and Impact on Nursing Care in Acute Care Settings: Person-centredness in Action.
IRAS ID
245757
Contact name
Karen Rennie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Margaret University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Humans are sexual beings and sexual expression provides emotional and physical benefits throughout life and does not diminish with age or loss of capacity. However, due to disinhibition and disorientation, people living with dementia may express sexual needs in ways considered by others as problematic or inappropriate. Research has shown that nurses in hospitals, find it particularly difficult to provide care for individuals with dementia and more so when inappropriate or excessive sexual expressions are evident. This research aims to explore this neglected topic to help improve the care of persons living with dementia who express themselves sexually while in hospital.
Drawing on a participatory research approach, I will carry out in-depth observation and conversations with nurses, persons living with dementia and families to learn about their needs and experiences of caring. I anticipate developing a person-centred assessment method with relevant evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions (an intervention bundle) to enable persons living with dementia to receive more effective and sensitive care. As part of the research, I will test and refine the assessment method and any non-pharmacological interventions in a linked feasibility and pilot study in several wards across different hospitals in Scotland. The outcomes from this pilot will be used to inform a full clinical trial as post-doctoral research.
This study will provide valuable knowledge for dementia healthcare in Scotland with international applicability, as this is the first research to focus on how nurses respond to persons living with dementia who express themselves sexually in hospital settings.REC name
Scotland A: Adults with Incapacity only
REC reference
19/SS/0019
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion