A participatory approach to understand what might be most meaningful to people living with dementia in a positive psychology intervention

Jackman, Victoria; Wolverson, Emma; Clarke, Chris; Quinn, Catherine

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aimed to understand which character strengths are most important for people living with dementia and therefore which strengths-based psychological interventions could be most meaningful and acceptable.
Methods: A participatory design, utilising Delphi methodology, was incorporated into an iterative three stage framework: (1) literature reviewed for Positive Psychology (PP) interventions and patient
public involvement to define the character strengths; (2) modified Delphi (N = 10) identified which character strengths are most important for living with dementia; (3) focus groups (N = 14) explored
which PP interventions are most acceptable and meaningful. Qualitative data from the focus groups was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Love, kindness and humour were deemed the most important character strengths for living with dementia. Qualitative data from the focus groups was captured in three superordinate themes:
(1) lack of opportunity not capacity; (2) key considerations of PP interventions for people living with dementia; and (3) potential benefits of PP interventions.
Conclusions: Love, kindness and humour come naturally to people with dementia, but people may lack social opportunities to use these strengths. Therefore, a PP intervention promoting positive emotion, social relationships and connection to one’s values appears most meaningful and acceptable as this may provide a social context to use and maintain these strengths.

Citation

Jackman, V., Wolverson, E., Clarke, C., & Quinn, C. (in press). A participatory approach to understand what might be most meaningful to people living with dementia in a positive psychology intervention. Dementia, https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2299967

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jan 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 8, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 9, 2024
• Journal: Dementia
• Print ISSN: 1471-3012
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2299967
• Keywords: Dementia; Character strengths; Positive psychology intervention; Coproduction
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4508061