Daily Coping and Stress in Couples with Early-Stage Dementia
Author Information
Author(s): Polenick Courtney, Turkelson Angela, Garner Charity, Liu Yin, Birditt Kira
Primary Institution: University of Michigan
Hypothesis
How do daily perceptions of dyadic coping relate to physiological stress in couples living with early-stage dementia?
Conclusion
The study found that higher supportive and delegated dyadic coping is associated with better physiological stress responses in couples dealing with early-stage dementia.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher individual supportive and delegated dyadic coping led to better cortisol responses in people living with dementia.
- Caregivers also experienced better stress responses when they reported higher levels of dyadic coping.
Takeaway
When couples help each other cope with stress, it can make them feel better and reduce stress in their bodies.
Methodology
Participants completed 7 days of phone interviews and collected saliva samples four times a day.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 34 people living with dementia and their spouse caregivers, with average ages of 72.2 and 69.5 years, respectively.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website