“In the end, it will be okay” : challenges, positive coping and outcomes among dementia family caregivers in Singapore

• Main Author: Kaliappan, Iswari Joyce
• Other Authors: Ho Hau Yan Andy
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/151032
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Dementia is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today due to an increasingly aging population. As family caregivers in Singapore play an important role in supporting persons with dementia and reducing pressure on the healthcare system, it is necessary to sustain their caregiving for the long-term. Based on Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study aims to examine the holistic experiences of dementia family caregivers in Singapore with regards to (1) Challenges, (2) Negative Outcomes, (3) Positive Coping Strategies, and (4) Positive Outcomes. Group discussions with 8 dementia family caregivers (aged 42–67) were conducted as part of the 4- week, 10-hour, group-based Mindful-Compassion Art-based Therapy for Dementia Care (MCAT-DC) intervention which aims to relieve stress, cultivate resilience, and foster deeper meaning in caregiving. Through thematic analysis, 11 major themes and 11 sub-themes emerged with a few unique findings contributing to further knowledge on dementia family caregivers' experiences, specifically in the Singapore context. Furthermore, relationships between a few themes and sub-themes were found, supporting Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) model. Practical implications for caregivers and professionals are discussed. All in all, this study yielded rich findings on challenges, positive coping and outcomes among dementia family caregivers in Singapore.