title: Threat to valued elements of life: the experience of dementia across three ethnic groups.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a fundamental knowledge gap regarding the experience of dementia within minority ethnic groups in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The present study examined the subjective reality of living with dementia from the perspective of people with dementia within the 3 largest ethnic groups in the United Kingdom.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a qualitative study in which in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 11 Black Caribbean, 9 south Asian, and 10 White British older people with dementia. The lack of information in this area prompted the use of a grounded theory approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main theme to emerge from the interviews with the people with dementia was "threat to valued elements of life." Participants engaged in a process of appraisal in which they assessed the degree to which their condition and support needs interfered with valued elements of life. The analysis revealed that each element of this process was culturally informed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is potential for modifying beliefs to reduce the perceived threat of dementia and for family and professional carers to promote the roles, relationships, and activities that each person with dementia values. The findings outlined in this paper can inform the development of a culturally sensitive approach.
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, P026, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. vanessa.c.lawrence@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Lawrence
authors: Kritika
authors: K
authors: Samsi
authors: Sube
authors: S
authors: Banerjee
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Morgan
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Murray
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D006113:United Kingdom