Adaptive Grief in Bereaved Dementia Caregivers: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Grief Studies
• Psychology

Background:

• Bereaved dementia caregivers experience unique grief challenges.
• Limited research exists on dementia-specific adaptive grieving processes.
• Understanding adaptive grief is crucial for caregiver support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the theoretical construct of adaptive grief in bereaved dementia caregivers.
• To define the dynamic and evolving nature of dementia-specific adaptive grief.
• To provide a framework for healthcare professionals to identify adaptive grief.

Main Methods:

• Concept analysis using Rodgers' evolutionary approach.
• Review of 11 data sources from 2013-2024.
• Interdisciplinary literature search across nursing, sociology, medicine, and psychology.

Main Results:

• Identified three key attributes of dementia-specific adaptive grief: rebuilding purpose, integrating change, and growing toward potential.
• Rebuilding purpose involves reconnecting with interests and community.
• Integrating change means blending past, present, and future experiences to regain direction.
• Growing toward potential focuses on pursuing self-defined goals and personal development.

Conclusions:

• Dementia-specific adaptive grief is a dynamic process with identifiable attributes.
• This concept analysis offers a clearer framework to distinguish adaptive from maladaptive grief.
• Further longitudinal and culturally diverse research is needed to inform tailored interventions for bereaved dementia caregivers.