title: The experience of self and threats to sense of self among relatives caring for people with Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: This study explored how the relatives of people with Alzheimer's disease expressed Self 2 and Self 3 according to Harré's social constructionist theory of selfhood. Having a relative with Alzheimer's disease affects one's life. In this study, we concentrated on how close relatives of people with Alzheimer's disease experienced their sense of self. This study was descriptive and qualitative. Interviews were conducted with 20 relatives of 10 people with Alzheimer's disease from 2009 to 2011. The data were analysed according to Harré's social constructionist theory of selfhood including Selves 2 and 3. Participants reported that Alzheimer's disease challenged their personal attributes, relations and positioning. Understanding how Alzheimer's disease affects the sense of self among close relatives is important, as this knowledge is pivotal for supporting these relatives who are often informal caregivers in ways that enable a fulfilling and meaningful life.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Sciences, Centre of Care Research, University of Tromsoe, Tromsoe, Norway Mari.Skaalvik@uit.no.
authors.forename: Mari Wolff
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Skaalvik
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Sciences, Centre of Care Research, University of Tromsoe, Tromsoe, Norway.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norberg
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Sciences, Centre of Care Research, University of Tromsoe, Tromsoe, Norway.
authors.forename: Ketil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Normann
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Sciences, Centre of Care Research, University of Tromsoe, Tromsoe, Norway.
authors.forename: Aud-Mari
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fjelltun
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Sciences, Centre of Care Research, University of Tromsoe, Tromsoe, Norway.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asplund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D066269:Social Theory
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Harré’s social constructionist theory; interview; self