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EXAMINING THE PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS OF SOCIOTROPY AND AUTONOMY IN OLDER PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA: THEIR RELEVANCE TO PERSON CENTRED CARE

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2004

Clare Hilton  and
Esme Moniz-Cook
Clare Hilton
Affiliation:
University of Hull, UK
Esme Moniz-Cook
Affiliation:
University of Hull, UK Reprint requests to Esme Moniz-Cook, Senior Clinical Lecturer, Department of Clinical Psychology, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Hull York Medical School (HYMS), University of Hull, c/o Coltman Street Day Hospital, 39-41 Coltman Street, Hull HU3 2SG, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine whether the personality dimensions of sociotropy and autonomy (Beck, Epstein, Harrison, & Emery, 1983) remained stable in older people with dementia. Sociotropy is characterized by the need for social reassurance, approval and contact. Autonomy reflects the need for control, self-determination and task-orientated achievement. A non-clinical normative sample (aged 17–87) confirmed Beck's theoretical dimensions of sociotropy and autonomy. This sample was used to determine cut-points for the two dimensions on the Sociotropy Autonomy Scale (SAS). The SAS was then used with 63 people with dementia to determine whether their personality profiles, in terms of sociotropy and autonomy, were similar to the earlier sample. Data obtained in the personality profiling were examined against mood and behavioural measures for people with dementia. Profiles for both samples were found to be similar, i.e. there were distinct minority sub-sets of high scoring sociotropic and autonomous individuals. Consistent with Beck's theoretical position, high scoring autonomy and sociotropy individuals with dementia were more likely to display mood and behaviour difficulties. It was therefore concluded that aspects of personality (i.e. temperament) remain stable in dementia. The SAS can identify older people with dementia who are vulnerable to mood and behaviour problems. This has direct clinical relevance to the targeting of effective care practices in residential settings.

Keywords

Personalitymood and behavioural problemsdementia
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , October 2004 , pp. 457 - 465
Copyright
2004 British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

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