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Daughters of People with Dementia Expressed Emotion, Strain and Coping

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

K. D. Bledin*
Affiliation:
Redbridge Health Authority, District Psychology Service, Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, Ilford, Essex IG3 8XJ
B. Maccarthy
Affiliation:
Academic Unit, St Bernard's Wing, Ealing Hospital, Uxbridge Road, Middlesex
L. Kuipers
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, and Institute of Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF
R. T. Woods
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF
*
Correspondence

Extract

Twenty-five women who were the primary carers for a parent with dementia were rated for expressed emotion (EE) and then divided into two groups: 11 with low-EE ratings and 14 with high-EE ratings. Although there were no differences between these groups in the levels of their parents' cognitive impairment, when such impairment was taken into account, high-EE subjects were found to report higher levels of strain and distress. More efficient coping strategies were reported by subjects who made fewer critical comments and more positive remarks. High-EE subjects more frequently had no living siblings, and were more likely to have had a respite break from caring. EE status was not associated with continuing care in the community at a nine-month follow-up.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1990 

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