Emotion regulation strategies used by family caregivers assisting people living with dementia: a systematic literature review

• Grant number: 21/07943-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2021
• End date: September 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Joan Barham
• Grantee: Nicole Akemi Yamada
• Host Institution: Centro de Educação e Ciências Humanas (CECH). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Approximately two million Brazilians live with dementia, receiving the assistance of a family member who assumes the role of caregiver. However, when caregivers experience a high frequency of negative emotions, stress, and perceptions of burden, this responsibility can result in both physical illness and socioemotional disengagement, putting the person with dementia at risk for neglect or maltreatment. Thus, it is important to strengthen caregivers' abilities to deal with the psychosocial demands inherent in this role, but it is not clear what strategies are the most effective, especially in interactions with the family member who has dementia. The objective of this study, therefore, is to analyze evidence about the effectiveness of different emotion regulation strategies used by or taught to family caregivers of people living with dementia. To address this objective, a systematic literature review will be carried out to answer the following question: What emotional regulation strategies contribute to beneficial socioemotional outcomes among caregivers assisting family members who live with dementia? The research question was defined using the PICO strategy and the review report will be based on the PRISMA method. The bibliographic search will be carried out in the following databases: SciELO, PsycNET, PubMed, and Scopus, considering articles published in Spanish, English or Portuguese. The researchers will conduct the review independently and simultaneously, using the Rayyan QCRI software package. This study will provide evidence-based theoretical and practical information to support the development of materials and practical guidance on emotional regulation for caregivers of family members with dementia. (AU)