A review of psychosocial models in psychogeriatrics: implications for care and research

Based on an examination of the relevant literature, this article presents a survey of psychosocial models used in the psychogeriatric field. Models with a multidimensional approach to behavior problems in dementia and a focus on the individual were selected. The utility of these psychosocial models as a theoretical framework for emotion-oriented care for people with dementia, especially Alzheimer disease, is examined. In addition to describing the models, this article also reports on the target group for which these models were developed, the degree to which they have been operationalized for psychogeriatrics, and the degree to which they have been subjected to empirical testing. This study shows that all psychosocial models described may be called emotion-oriented, although they also contain, in varying degrees, elements from the consequences model. It was found that the models are used not only as a theoretical framework for research, but also in the provision of care. Despite the fact that most models have been used in the psychogeriatric field, therefore proving their practicability for psychogeriatric practice, only one of the models described has been tested empirically so far. The theoretical validity of the models in question is, therefore, not yet clear.