The Positive Psychology Outcome Measure (PPOM) for people with dementia: Psychometric properties and factor structure

A feasibility and pilot study of a "lifelong learning" intervention for people with dementia

BACKGROUND

Developing evidence for the use of psychosocial interventions for people with dementia is a research priority. This pilot study aimed to provide variability estimates for a set of outcome measures that would inform the development of a more extensive controlled study. The larger study will seek to explore the effect of attending a lifelong learning intervention for people with dementia compared to receiving treatment as usual. This pilot and feasibility stage also analysed how data collectors and researchers evaluated the use of the outcome measures in a sample of people with mild to moderate dementia.

METHODS

Before initiating the pilot study, a participant consultation was conducted with people with dementia, who attend a lifelong learning service known as a dementia school, and their teachers. From this consultation, the research outcomes identified were the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Quality-of-Life Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and the Friendship scale. The following study was divided into two steps. In step 1, participants were people with dementia attending a dementia school (intervention group) or usual services (control group). The participants were tested at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. Data were collected between November 2018 and July 2019. In step 2, feasibility and acceptability issues with the recruitment of participants, data collection process, and outcome measures, identified in step 1, were evaluated through a data collector focus group.

RESULTS

Fifty-five people with dementia were included in the analysis. Step 1 provided estimates of changes from baseline to follow-up, and ancillary standard deviations were supplied for all outcome measures. Step 2 provided reflections on the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, data collection, and outcome measures. This included views on how people with dementia experience participating in a test situation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided estimates of change and variability in the outcome measures. Additionally, issues regarding data collection were identified and should be addressed in future studies. The project demonstrated how to support people with dementia to participate in research that is meaningful to them.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

According to national legislation, registration with a database of clinical studies was optional, as the study evaluated existing activities rather than a clinical intervention.

Standardised data collection from people with dementia over the telephone: A qualitative study of the experience of DETERMIND programme researchers in a pandemic

There is a notable lack of evidence on what constitutes good practice in remote quantitative data collection from research participants with dementia. During the COVID-19 pandemic face-to-face research became problematic, especially where participants were older and more at risk of infection. The DETERMIND-C19 study, a large cohort study of people with dementia, switched to telephone data collection over this period. This paper explores the experiences of researchers who collected quantitative data over the telephone from people with dementia during the first COVID-19 lockdowns in England. The aim was to learn from these experiences, share insights and inform future research practice across disciplines. Seven DETERMIND researchers were interviewed about the processes and challenges of collecting quantitative data from people with dementia over the telephone compared to face-to-face. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two themes were developed: first the telephone adds an extra layer of confusion to an already cognitively complex interaction. Second, researchers found it difficult to recognise subtle cues that signalled participants' rising emotion over the telephone in time to prevent distress. The researchers employed strategies to support participants which may not have conformed to the strict conventions of structured interviewing, but which were informed by person-oriented principles. Whilst in practice this may be a common approach to balancing the needs of participants and the requirements of quantitative research, it is rare for studies to openly discuss such trade-offs in the literature. Honest, reflective reporting is required if the practice of remote data collection from people with dementia is to progress ethically and with integrity.

A systematic review and psychometric evaluation of resilience measurement scales for people living with dementia and their carers

Psychometrically sound resilience outcome measures are essential to establish how health and care services or interventions can enhance the resilience of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers. This paper systematically reviews the literature to identify studies that administered a resilience measurement scale with PLWD and/or their carers and examines the psychometric properties of these measures. Electronic abstract databases and the internet were searched, and an international network contacted to identify peer-reviewed journal articles. Two authors independently extracted data. They critically reviewed the measurement properties from the available psychometric data in the studies, using a standardised checklist adapted for purpose. Fifty-one studies were included in the final review, which applied nine different resilience measures, eight developed in other populations and one developed for dementia carers in Thailand. None of the measures were developed for use with people living with dementia. The majority of studies (N = 47) focussed on dementia carers, three studies focussed on people living with dementia and one study measured both carers and the person with dementia. All the studies had missing information regarding the psychometric properties of the measures as applied in these two populations. Nineteen studies presented internal consistency data, suggesting seven of the nine measures demonstrate acceptable reliability in these new populations. There was some evidence of construct validity, and twenty-eight studies hypothesised effects a priori (associations with other outcome measure/demographic data/differences in scores between relevant groups) which were partially supported. The other studies were either exploratory or did not specify hypotheses. This limited evidence does not necessarily mean the resilience measure is not suitable, and we encourage future users of resilience measures in these populations to report information to advance knowledge and inform further reviews. All the measures require further psychometric evaluation in both these populations. The conceptual adequacy of the measures as applied in these new populations was questionable. Further research to understand the experience of resilience for people living with dementia and carers could establish the extent current measures -which tend to measure personal strengths -are relevant and comprehensive, or whether further work is required to establish a new resilience outcome measure.

A qualitative analysis of virtues and strengths in persons living with early stage dementia informed by the values in action framework

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence that individuals' virtues and character strengths can contribute to a sense of fulfillment, the majority of dementia research focuses on losses and decline. To date, virtues and character strengths in persons living with dementia is an understudied phenomena. This study begins to addresses this gap in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to: (1) examine the expression of virtues and character strengths in persons living with dementia in the early stages; and (2) share implications and recommendations for strengths-based clinical practice and future research.

METHODS

Qualitative data was utilized to examine virtues and character strengths among persons living with dementia. This data was derived from semi-structured interviews with 25 persons living with dementia age 65 or older (average age of 77.88). The interviews were audio recorded with consent, professionally transcribed, audit checked, and subjected to Interpretive Phenomenological analysis which was informed by the Values in Action (VIA) framework.

FINDINGS

Each of the virtues and 24 corresponding character strengths from the VIA framework were observed in this sample. The most frequently observed character strengths were love, spirituality, perseverance, and gratitude.

IMPLICATIONS

Persons with dementia continue to express virtues and character strengths in the context of cognitive and functional changes. Positive strengths-based research and clinical practice should highlight and build upon these individual virtues and character strengths.

Validation of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) for family caregivers of people with dementia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a measure of perceived adequacy of social support. Whilst this is an important area of research for family caregivers of people with dementia, it is not clear whether the MSPSS retains its psychometric properties when used with this population. The aim was to conduct an in-depth psychometric analysis of the MSPSS to ensure that it remains a psychometrically robust measure for this population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants completed measures online using a self-complete procedure. A subsample completed the MSPSS twice, within a 4-week period. Properties assessed were internal consistency, floor and ceiling effects, test-retest reliability, convergent validity and factor structure.

RESULTS

270 participants completed the study and 58 comprised the test-retest sample. Internal consistency was excellent for the total score (α = 0.92) and three subscales (α = 0.92-0.94). Significant correlations were observed in the expected directions with depression (r = -.48, p < .001) and mental (r = 0.32, p<.001) and physical (r = 0.17, p=.003) health-related quality of life. Test re-test reliability was excellent for the total score (ICC = 0.90 95%CI = 0.84, 0.94) and subscale scores (ICC = 0.84-0.89). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable fit indices for the three-factor solution.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The MSPSS has robust psychometric properties when used with caregivers of people with dementia and may be recommended for use with this population. Further research is required to establish responsiveness and determine cross-cultural validity.

Living with dementia under COVID-19 restrictions: coping and support needs among people with dementia and carers from the IDEAL cohort

Stringent social restrictions imposed during 2020 to counter the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic could significantly affect the wellbeing and quality of life of people with dementia living in the community and their family carers. We explored the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people with dementia and family carers in England and considered how negative effects might be mitigated. We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 11 people with dementia and 11 family carers who were ongoing participants in the IDEAL cohort during the initial ‘lockdown’ period in May and June 2020, and follow-up interviews with five people with dementia and two carers as restrictions were eased in July. We analysed interview data and triangulated the findings with issues raised in dementia-specific online forums. Findings showed some people with dementia were coping well, but others experienced a range of negative impacts, with varying degrees of improvement as restrictions were eased. The need for clear personalised information relating to COVID-19 and the value of support in the form of regular ‘just checking’ phone calls was emphasised. This exceptional situation provides a natural demonstration of how social and psychological resources shape the potential to ‘live well’ with dementia. While some support is recommended for all, a personalised approach to determine needs and coping ability would ensure that further practical and emotional support is targeted effectively.

New horizons in understanding the experience of Chinese people living with dementia: a positive psychology approach

As the global average age increases, the incidence of dementia is also rising. Given improvements in diagnosis and life expectancies, people now live longer with dementia. Thus, the wellbeing and quality of life among people living with dementia are increasingly important areas for research. Research with Western populations has recently begun to apply positive psychology concepts to understand wellbeing in people with dementia. Positive psychology focuses on positive emotions and traits that allow individuals to flourish and thrive-it highlights the possibility of positive subjective experiences in the face of loss and functional decline, and contrasts the traditional deficit-focused perception of dementia. Despite being a major driver in the global growth of dementia prevalence, there is a dearth of research using such positive concepts to understand people with dementia in non-Western communities. This review contains discussion of research on positive constructs in Chinese older adults, and parallels between traditional Chinese cultural values and positive psychology. On this basis, we propose the applicability of a positive psychology framework to Chinese people with dementia, and that 'harmony' is an important culturally specific concept to consider in this area of research. A positive psychology approach acknowledges that strengths and positive experiences can endure after dementia diagnosis. This not only adds to the under-researched area of lived experience of dementia in Chinese people, but highlights areas that could be the focus of interventions or measured as outcomes. By improving understanding, this approach also has potential to reduce carer burden and stigma around dementia.

The feasibility of a Comprehensive Resilience-building psychosocial Intervention (CREST) for people with dementia in the community: protocol for a non-randomised feasibility study

BACKGROUND

A dementia diagnosis can prevent people from participating in society, leading to a further decline in cognitive, social and physical health. However, it may be possible for people with dementia to continue to live meaningful lives and continue to participate actively in society if a supportive psychosocial environment exists. Resilience theory, which focuses on strengthening personal attributes and external assets in the face of serious challenges, may provide a scaffold on which an inclusive multifaceted psychosocial supportive environment can be built. This protocol paper describes a study to determine the feasibility of conducting a multifaceted complex resilience building psychosocial intervention for people with dementia and their caregivers living in the community.

METHODS

This is a non-randomised feasibility study. Ten participants with dementia and their primary caregivers living in the community will be recruited and receive the CREST intervention. The intervention provides (a) a 7-week cognitive stimulation programme followed by an 8-week physical exercise programme for people with dementia and (b) a 6-week educational programme for caregivers. Members of the wider community will be invited to a dementia awareness programme and GP practices to a dementia training workshop. Trained professionals will deliver all intervention components. Outcomes will assess the feasibility and acceptability of all study processes. The feasibility and acceptability of a range of outcomes to be collected in a future definitive trial, including economic measurements, will also be explored. Finally, social marketing will be used to map a route toward stigma change in dementia for use in a subsequent trial. Quantitative feasibility outcome assessments will be completed at baseline and after completion of the 15-week intervention while qualitative data will be collected at recruitment, baseline, during and post-intervention delivery.

CONCLUSION

This feasibility study will provide evidence regarding the feasibility and acceptability of a comprehensive multifaceted psychosocial intervention programme for people with dementia and their caregivers (CREST). The results will be used to inform the development and implementation of a subsequent RCT, should the findings support feasibility.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN25294519 Retrospectively registered 07.10.2019.

Measuring the well-being of people with dementia: a conceptual scoping review

BACKGROUND

Enabling people with dementia to 'live well' is a policy and research priority in many countries. However, instruments for measuring outcomes of psychosocial interventions designed to promote well-being in dementia are often derived from a symptom-focused, loss/deficit approach, or from broad quality of life concepts. A pan-European dementia working group called for research on the development of an alternative asset/strengths-based conceptual framework of well-being in dementia. This paper takes forward this recommendation by developing such a framework and using this to map relevant self-report outcome measures.

METHODS

Three scoping reviews of published studies were conducted iteratively. First, we examined the literature on lived experiences of well-being and quality of life in people with dementia and then the wider dementia literature for application of well-being constructs. The synthesised findings generated conceptual domains of well-being in people with dementia. Corresponding self-report instruments used in dementia research were scoped, categorised within the conceptual framework and their potential value in measuring outcomes for people with dementia was examined.

FINDINGS

Six conceptual domains for the measurement of well-being and 35 self-report instruments that have been used with people with dementia were identified. Six instruments were developed specifically for people with dementia, five were derived from the gerontological literature and 24 from the well-being literature. Fifteen instruments and one sub-scale have been examined for psychometric properties amongst people with dementia. To date, 20 have been used as outcome measures, with seven measuring change over time. A number of identified instruments utilise traditional retrospective Likert-scaling response formats, limiting their potential for use with some groups of people with dementia.

CONCLUSION

An assets/strengths-based framework is presented, outlining structural domains for selecting self-report measures of well-being in people with dementia. It provides a foundation for enhancing research into processes and outcomes of psychosocial interventions, including instrument development, more precise matching of intervention aims with outcome measurement, and newer technology-based 'in-the-moment' measurement.

Psychological predictors of 'living well' with dementia: findings from the IDEAL study

Objectives: Increasingly, research has explored how psychological resources enable adaptation to illness. However, it is unclear whether psychological resources protect against the potential negative effects on living well with a progressive and life-limiting condition such as dementia. This paper examines the association between psychological resources and the ability to 'live well' with dementia.Method: Data from 1547 people with mild-to-moderate dementia in the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort were used. Multivariate linear regression was employed to examine the association between self-reported measures of psychological resources (self-efficacy, optimism and self-esteem) and indices of capability to 'live well' (quality of life, well-being and life satisfaction).Results: All three measures of psychological resources had positive and independent associations with indices of living well and the effect sizes were similar. Effect sizes reduced when accounting for shared variance between psychological resources, showing some overlap in these constructs.Conclusion: Self-efficacy, optimism and self-esteem were each associated with capability to 'live well'. Overlap between these three resources is evident and when combined they may provide greater resilience when dealing with the challenges of living with dementia. Interventions for people with dementia could seek to improve levels of these potentially-modifiable psychological resources.

Fostering the Resilience of People With Dementia: A Narrative Literature Review

Background: Resilience is a process through which people use resources to adapt to adversity. Interventions aiming to support resilience in people with dementia have been developed. However, the optimal content, structure and impact of these interventions is unclear. This literature review explores the factors through which interventions foster resilience in people with dementia and examines their efficacy.

Methods: Eight databases were searched systematically, for literature published from 2000 to 2019. Following the removal of duplicate articles, the titles and abstracts of 6,749 articles were screened. Articles were selected if they: reported empirical studies in English; focused on resilience; involved people with dementia and psychosocial interventions. The full text of 53 articles were examined and three studies, reported in six papers, were included in the final review. Data were systematically extracted, and two authors critiqued the studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme check lists. The studies were examined to determine how resilience was defined and operationalized and their findings were synthesized using the theoretical resilience framework.

Results: Five interventions aiming to foster resilience were identified: Dementia Advisors; Peer Support Network Services; Visual Arts Enrichment Activities; Memory Makers; and Early-Stage and Beyond Community Activities. All studies defined resilience as a process and most involved people with mild dementia who had family carers. The interventions impacted resilience by reducing the adversity of stigma and social isolation; increasing personal and social resources, providing stigma-free space and reciprocal support. Interventions empowered people with dementia, increasing their self-esteem and self-worth. Resilience can be fostered both during, and after interventions. However, the efficacy of interventions could not be determined because the research designs utilized did not measure efficacy.

Conclusions: Interventions need facilitators to ensure they are strength-based, person-centered and they enable reciprocal social interactions. Future research needs to develop interventions that aim to foster the resilience of people with dementia who lack family carers and/or have more advanced dementia through meaningful activities that are identified by people with dementia as important to their resilience. Robust methodologies, including randomized controlled trials should be used to measure effectiveness and explore the impact of interventions regarding the: interplay between individual and community resources; the importance of reciprocity; and temporal aspects of resilience.

Promoting Independence in Dementia (PRIDE): protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Memory services often see people with early stage dementia who are largely independent and able to participate in community activities but who run the risk of reducing activities and social networks. PRIDE is a self-management intervention designed to promote living well and enhance independence for people with mild dementia. This study aims to examine the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised trial comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the PRIDE intervention offered in addition to usual care or with usual care alone.

METHODS/DESIGN

PRIDE is a parallel, two-arm, multicentre, feasibility, randomised controlled trial (RCT). Eligible participants aged 18 or over who have mild dementia (defined as a score of 0.5 or 1 on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale) who can participate in the intervention and provide informed consent will be randomised (1:1) to treatment with the PRIDE intervention delivered in addition to usual care, or usual care only. Participants will be followed-up at 3 and 6 month's post-randomisation. There will be an option for a supporter to join each participant. Each supporter will be provided with questionnaires at baseline and follow-ups at 3 to 6 months. Embedded qualitative research with both participants and supporters will explore their perspectives on the intervention investigating a range of themes including acceptability and barriers and facilitators to delivery and participation. The feasibility of conducting a full RCT associated with participant recruitment and follow-up of both conditions, intervention delivery including the recruitment, training, retention of PRIDE trained facilitators, clinical outcomes, intervention and resource use costs and the acceptability of the intervention and study related procedures will be examined.

DISCUSSION

This study will assess whether a definitive randomised trial comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of whether the PRIDE intervention offered in addition to usual care is feasible in comparison to usual care alone, and if so, will provide data to inform the design and conduct of a future trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN, ISRCTN11288961, registered on 23 October 2019, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12345678 Protocol V2.1 dated 19 June 2019.

Positive psychiatry/psychology for older adults: a new and important movement but robust methodology is essential

Positive psychiatry and the related positive psychology are offering a much needed alternative framework through which to view the psychology of old age (Jeste et al., 2015). Traditional models of old age tend to approach the subject from a negative view point where themes of dependency and decline can be common (Cumming and Henry, 1961). In contrast, positive psychiatry and psychology refer to the scientific study of strengths and capabilities that contribute to well-being (Seligman, 1998). Some of these can be thought of as character strengths and evidence suggests that concepts such as hope, humour, integrity, and gratitude are universal, with examples documented in at least 54 nations across the world (Park et al., 2006). Researchers aligned to these theoretical models seek to explore complex approaches to measuring and improving mental health, recognizing that well-being is often a dynamic interplay between positive and negative psychological processes and outcomes (Lomas and Ivtzan, 2016).