title: Older adults' views and experiences of doll therapy in residential care homes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The mechanisms underlying the success of doll therapy are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to explore how people in care, doll users and non-users, make sense of doll use in their settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A grounded theory approach was used, recruiting participants from three residential care homes involving four male and 12 female residents. Data collection occurred in two phases; five participants took part in a focus group and later 11 participants were interviewed individually. Eight of the 11 participants had dementia, and four participants were actively using dolls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are presented as themes, and sub-themes, consisting of four main categories (intrapersonal features, interpersonal features, behavioural benefits, ethical and moderating factors). This thematic analysis shows that residents generally support the use of dolls, believing that dolls can have a positive impact on some users. The mechanisms by which this impact is achieved are discussed together with the ethical concerns.
authors: Trainee Clinical Psychologist University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK.
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Alander
authors: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Prescott
authors: Newcastle Psychology and Challenging Behaviour Services, Dementia Services, NTW NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK h.alander@nhs.net.
authors: Ian A
authors: IA
authors: James
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010989:Play Therapy / Q000941:ethics; D010988:Play and Playthings
keywords: dementia; dolls; memory; older people; therapy