Dyan E Connelly1, Alice Verstaen2, Casey L Brown1, Sandy J Lwi3, Robert W Levenson4,5. 1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA. 2. VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle Division, Seattle, Washington, USA. 3. VA Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, California, USA. 4. Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA, boblev@berkeley.edu. 5. Berkeley Psychophysiology Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA, boblev@berkeley.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Caring for a spouse with dementia can be extremely challenging. Many caregivers experience profound declines in well-being; however, others remain healthy. OBJECTIVE: This study determined whether the personal pronouns used in interactions between persons with dementia (PWDs) and their spousal caregivers were associated with caregiver well-being. METHODS: Fifty-eight PWDs and their spousal caregivers engaged in a 10-min conversation about an area of disagreement in a laboratory setting. Verbatim transcripts of the conversation were coded using text analysis software, and caregivers and PWDs each received scores for (a) I-pronouns, (b) you-pronouns, and (c) we-pronouns. Caregivers' well-being was assessed using a composite measure of depression, anxiety, burden, and strain. RESULTS: Results revealed that less use of we-pronouns by caregivers and PWDs and greater use of I-pronouns by PWDs were -associated with lower caregiver well-being. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that less use of pronouns that refer to the couple (we-pronouns used by either partner) and greater use of pronouns that refer to the PWD (I-pronouns used by the PWD) are indicative of caregivers at heightened risk for lower well-being.
INTRODUCTION: Caring for a spouse with dementia can be extremely challenging. Many caregivers experience profound declines in well-being; however, others remain healthy. OBJECTIVE: This study determined whether the personal pronouns used in interactions between persons with dementia (PWDs) and their spousal caregivers were associated with caregiver well-being. METHODS: Fifty-eight PWDs and their spousal caregivers engaged in a 10-min conversation about an area of disagreement in a laboratory setting. Verbatim transcripts of the conversation were coded using text analysis software, and caregivers and PWDs each received scores for (a) I-pronouns, (b) you-pronouns, and (c) we-pronouns. Caregivers' well-being was assessed using a composite measure of depression, anxiety, burden, and strain. RESULTS: Results revealed that less use of we-pronouns by caregivers and PWDs and greater use of I-pronouns by PWDs were -associated with lower caregiver well-being. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that less use of pronouns that refer to the couple (we-pronouns used by either partner) and greater use of pronouns that refer to the PWD (I-pronouns used by the PWD) are indicative of caregivers at heightened risk for lower well-being.
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Authors: Kuan-Hua Chen; James J Casey; Dyan E Connelly; Jennifer Merrilees; Chien-Ming Yang; Bruce L Miller; Robert W Levenson Journal: Psychophysiology Date: 2022-03-22 Impact factor: 4.348
Authors: Alissa Bernstein Sideman; Jenna L Wells; Jennifer Merrilees; Suzanne M Shdo; Claire I Yee; Katherine L Possin; Robert W Levenson Journal: Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra Date: 2022-04-21