title: Self-transcendence and family caregivers of adults with dementia.
abstract: Research has documented that caring for a family member with dementia is stressful and burdensome. However, difficult life experiences such as fear, loss, and grief may help persons move beyond a concern for self toward a larger perspective and concern for others. Both positive and negative experiences can promote positive movement toward growth and development. This movement has been described as self-transcendence, or the ability to look beyond the self and present difficulties, to extend concern to others, and to find personal meaning and wholeness in the context of life-changing events. The family caregiving experience with its inherent difficulties might provide the impetus for such a movement toward self-transcendence. The purpose of this article is to examine the concept of self-transcendence, explore its linkages to the caregiving experience, and suggest potential strategies to assist family caregivers to achieve self-transcendence.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Acton
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept