Research project Health, compassion and compassion fatigue in relatives of people with dementia
To be a relative to someone with dementia can be very exhausting and some develop an empathy fatigue that affects both their own health and the relationship with the relative. The project is to investigate the perceived health of relatives of people with dementia.
Within the I want to seek knowledge about the phenomenon compassion fatigue, its prevalence, how it is manifested in different stages and in the relationship with the person with dementia and how to prevent compassion fatigue.
Project description
The project investigates the following questions:
- What is the prevalence of compassion fatigue among relatives of people with dementia?
- How does the relationship to the person with dementia, different situations and stages in life affect compassion fatigue?
- What are the experiences related to compassion fatigue among relatives?
- What types of support can be identified as important (from the relative’s perspective) to prevent compassion fatigue?
- What are the similarities and differences between relatives who show low and high levels of compassion fatigue, respectively?
The project uses a mixed method design with quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews.
Project members
Project managers
Nathalie Dewan
PhD student
Members
Susanne Kreitz-Sandberg, Main Supervisor
