Narrative collisions, sociocultural pressures and dementia: the relational basis of personhood reconsidered

TOLHURST, Edward, Weicht, Bernhard and Kingston, Paul (2017) Narrative collisions, sociocultural pressures and dementia: the relational basis of personhood reconsidered. Sociology of Health and Illness, 39 (2). ISSN 0141-9889

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Abstract or description

The concept of personhood developed by Tom Kitwood highlights that the experience of dementia has relational dimensions that transcend the neurodegenerative impacts of the condition. This relational focus, however, has been narrowly conceptualised, with the impact of broader sociocultural factors on experience underplayed. The empirical exploration of interaction also requires reinforcement: a tendency for dyadic studies to portray findings in an individualised format hinders the interrogation of interpersonal negotiations. This article draws upon qualitative research that employed a joint interview approach, interviewing
men with dementia and their spousal carers together. The focus on a dyadic case study from this research enables methodical exploration of the experience of living with dementia. This is realised by considering the socially-framed perspective of each person, and then how their perspectives are interwoven within interactional exchanges. This provides a platform for the evaluation of the current decontextualised notion of personhood and its implications. It is concluded that a sociologically informed perspective can help to reinforce the academic understanding of personhood.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty:	Previous Faculty of Health Sciences > Social Work, Allied and Public Health
Depositing User:	Edward TOLHURST
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2016 09:56
Last Modified:	24 Feb 2023 13:44
URI:	https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/2680

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