Beatie BE, Mackenzie CS, Funk L, Davidson D, Koven L, Reynolds KA. Caregiver identity in care partners of persons living with mild cognitive impairment.
Dementia (London) 2021;
20:2323-2339. [PMID:
33595336 PMCID:
PMC8564256 DOI:
10.1177/1471301221994317]
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Abstract
Research on caregiver identity in the context of memory impairment has focused primarily
on more advanced stages of the cognitive impairment trajectory (e.g., dementia
caregivers), failing to capture the complex dynamics of early caregiver identity
development (e.g., MCI; mild cognitive impairment caregivers). The aim of this study was
to develop a nuanced understanding of how caregiver identity develops in family and
friends of persons living with MCI. Using constructivist grounded theory (ConGT), this
study explored caregiver identity development from 18 in-depth interviews with spouses
(n = 13), children (n = 3), and friends
(n = 2) of persons recently diagnosed with MCI. The overarching themes
influencing MCI caregiver identity development included MCI changes, care-related
experiences, “caregiver” interpretation, and approach/avoidance coping. These themes
influenced how participants primarily identified, represented as I am a caregiver,
I am not a caregiver, or liminality (i.e., between their
previous identity and a caregiver identity). Irrespective of their current
self-identification, all conveyed thinking about their “future self,” as providing more
intensive care. MCI caregiver identity development in family and friends is a fluid and
evolving process. Nearly all participants had taken on care tasks, yet the majority of
these individuals did not clearly identify as caregivers. Irrespective of how participants
identified, they were engaging in care, and would likely benefit from support with
navigating these changes and their new, ambiguous, and evolving roles.
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