title: Couples' experiences with early-onset dementia: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of dyadic dynamics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The growing interest in early-onset dementia has attracted attention to the situation and experiences of the caregiver, most often the spouse. Several qualitative studies on caregiving spouses have underlined the importance of the feeling of loss, the change of role reported by the caregiving spouses, and the strategies used to protect the person with dementia, all of which raise the question of the relational dynamics at play in these dyads. The present study on 16 couples examines the experiences of each partner, as well as the kinds of interactions taking place within the dyad and how they have evolved since the disease began.
  
  
  METHODS
  An interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on dyadic semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven axes emerged from the analyses, showing that control over symptoms gradually leads to deterioration of marital interactions and to the components of marital dissolution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Laboratory URECA EA 1059, University of Lille 3, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; Roubaix Hospital, Addiction service, Roubaix, France emilie.wawrziczny@univ-lille3.fr.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wawrziczny
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Laboratory URECA EA 1059, University of Lille 3, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Antoine
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie, Montréal, Canada; Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ducharme
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie, Montréal, Canada; Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Marie-Jeanne
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kergoat
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Memory Research and Resources Clinic at the University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasquier
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: couple; dyadic dynamic; early-onset dementia; interpretative phenomenological analysis; qualitative study