City Research Online

Abstract

Dementia is one of the most common mental health problems among the older Chinese population in the UK, along with anxiety and depression. While many people suffering from dementia are increasingly dependent on family members to provide daily care, caring for someone with dementia is considered a stressful experience. Not being able to speak English, community attitudes towards dementia. the stigma attached to the illness and the lack of resource and support for the Chinese community are factors that have rendered carers vulnerable. This study aimed to explore the practical ways of engaging Chinese carers, based on the concept of community health psychology and participatory action research. A series of participatory interventions using the empowerment approach were conducted with Chinese family carers recruited from three community organisations in London, Leeds and Newcastle. A Sense of Empowerment Scale (SES) was developed to measure the change in the sense of empowerment of the Chinese carers over a period of five months. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis were administered to measure the impact of the interventions. Results show that family carers' psychological empowerment had improved significantly. Knowledge of dementia gained and skills developed in caring are two major factors associated with the successful outcomes and sense of well-being of the carers. The collaborative organisations involved also experienced positive improvement in building up new skills and resources during the participatory processes; their role as an empowering agent also proved to be helpful in the participatory processes.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races R Medicine > RT Nursing
Departments:	Doctoral Theses School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses

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