Predictors of self-reported psychosocial outcomes in individuals with dementia

Little is known about the illness experience from the perspective of individuals with dementia (IWDs), as most quantitative research has focused on IWDs' psychosocial issues from proxy reports. The primary aim of this study was to better understand the impact of the illness experience on well-being from the perspective of the IWD through the framework of the Stress Process Model for Individuals with Dementia (SPM for IWDs).

Guided by the SPM for IWDs, self-report data were collected from IWDs (N = 131) about their illness experience, including primary objective and subjective stressors, secondary role and intrapsychic strains, and well-being outcomes. Using multiple linear regression, primary stressors, secondary strains, and background and context characteristics were entered into 3 prediction models for each outcome: anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL).

Three distinct prediction patterns emerged for each of the outcome measures. Embarrassment about memory loss was the unique predictor of anxiety, whereas physical health strain and role captivity uniquely predicted depression. Unique predictors for QoL included lower perceived instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) difficulty and higher self-efficacy.

This study provided valuable insight into the illness experience from the perspective of the IWD and identified key areas amenable to interventions, such as managing embarrassment about memory problems as well as improving self-efficacy and inner strength. Moreover, this study provided additional support for the inclusion of IWDs in the research process and highlighted the need for further research regarding clinical application of findings, testing of hypotheses, and analyzing efficacy of interventions.