Living with the elderly is related to a better performance in the recognition of facial expressions of emotion among older individuals

Author(s)

Luchesi, Bruna Moretti ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Nisihara Chagas, Marcos Hortes ^{[2, 4]} ; Brigola, Allan Gustavo ^{[1, 2]} ; Ottaviani, Ana Carolina ^{[1, 2]} ; Souza, Erica Nestor ^{[1, 2]} ; Rossetti, Estefani Serafim ^{[1, 2]} ; Terassi, Marielli ^{[1, 2]} ; de Oliveira, Nathalia Alves ^{[1, 2]} ; Iost Pavarini, Sofia Cristina ^{[1, 2, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Grad Program Nursing, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Grad Program Nursing, Rod Washington Luis, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Mato Grosso do Sul UFMS, Campus Tres Lagoas, BR-79613000 Tres Lagoas, MS - Brazil

^[4] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Gerontol, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY; v. 45, n. 4, p. 82-87, JUL-AUG 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cohabitation with the elderly may bring benefits to social relationships and exert an influence on the recognition of facial expressions of emotion. Objective: Compare emotion recognition skills between a cohabitation group (CHG) of older adults who live with a dependent elderly individual and a non-cohabitation group (NCHG) of older adults who do not live with an elderly individual. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 62 older adults in the CHG and 56 in the NCHG. The two groups were similar with regard to gender, age, schooling, degree of dependence, cognitive performance, and depressive symptoms. A dynamic task with six emotions (anger, disgust, happiness, surprise, sadness, and fear) and four levels of intensity was administered to evaluate the recognition of facial emotions. Results: The CHG performed better than the NCHG regarding the correct identification of emotions, specifically surprise (60%), disgust (60%, 80%, and 100%), fear (80%), and sadness (80% and 100%). Discussion: Cohabitation with an elderly individual seems to offer benefits to older adults in terms of recognizing facial expressions of emotion. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/04129-9 - Social support, care and cognition in a study addressing elderly caregivers
• Grantee: Sofia Cristina Iost Pavarini
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants