Influence of hope, social support, and self-esteem in early stage dementia

• Published in: Dementia (London, England) Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 214 - 224
• Main Authors: Cotter, Valerie T, Gonzalez, Elizabeth W, Fisher, Kathleen, Richards, Kathy C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia - diagnosis; Dementia - psychology; Emotions; Female; Hope; Humans; Male; Self Concept; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; social support; dementia; self-concept; hope; coping
• ISSN: 1471-3012; 1741-2684
• DOI: 10.1177/1471301217741744

Background People in the early stages of dementia adjust to the illness through stages of awareness, coping, and evaluation. Studies have found that hope, social support, and self-esteem facilitate coping, adjustment, and adaptation in chronic illness. Objective The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the relationships between hope, social support, and self-esteem in individuals with early stage dementia. Methods Data were obtained from 53 individuals with early stage dementia. The scores on the Herth Hope Index, Social Support Questionnaire Short-Form, and the State Self-Esteem Scale were analyzed using linear regression. Results Hope was moderately associated with self-esteem (r = .49, p < .001). Hope accounted for 25% of the variance in self-esteem and was a key component in predicting self-esteem. No significant relationship was found between social support and self-esteem. Conclusion Findings suggest that hope may be an important factor to help individuals manage potential threats to self-esteem in the experience of early stage dementia. Strategies to inspire hope and then enhance self-esteem are promising for individuals living with early stage dementia.