A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia
Abstract Background Informal carers of people living with dementia are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health difficulties than the general population, yet many are not able to access timely psychological support and their psychological needs are often overlooked. It is therefore important t...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05986-7 |
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| author | Jacquelyn Yang Caroline Fearn Amber John Sarah Hoare Seryn Chang David Zammitt Joshua Stott |
| author_facet | Jacquelyn Yang Caroline Fearn Amber John Sarah Hoare Seryn Chang David Zammitt Joshua Stott |
| author_sort | Jacquelyn Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Informal carers of people living with dementia are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health difficulties than the general population, yet many are not able to access timely psychological support and their psychological needs are often overlooked. It is therefore important to develop a greater understanding of carers’ lived experiences in accessing and attending psychological therapy, to help tailor therapies to meet their individual needs. To our knowledge, this is the first thematic synthesis of qualitative literature on carers’ experiences of accessing and taking part in psychological therapies. Methods Three databases were systematically searched for qualitative literature, and 23 studies were included. Their quality was assessed and the data extracted was included in the thematic synthesis. Results Findings were organised into five overarching themes: i) Mental health and relationship difficulties (context); ii) Overall positive experiences of therapy (including specific techniques, therapist factors and therapeutic relationship, social support); iii) Common changes experienced (e.g. increased awareness of one’s emotions and needs, increased self-care and self-compassion); iv) Unhelpful experiences of therapy, suggestions and further needs; and v) Impact of wider societal contexts and events. Conclusions Given the predominantly positive experiences of therapy and mechanisms of change described, findings suggest that psychological therapies can be helpful for carers of people living with dementia. Additionally outlined are specific techniques to tailor therapy (regardless of approach) to best meet carers’ needs, and suggestions for improvement. Future research should try to understand for whom and under what circumstances (e.g. wider contexts) psychosocial interventions become most effective in this population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f565b12dbec409dbb2da2e55699759a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f565b12dbec409dbb2da2e55699759a2025-08-20T01:53:15ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-05-0125112510.1186/s12877-025-05986-7A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementiaJacquelyn Yang0Caroline Fearn1Amber John2Sarah Hoare3Seryn Chang4David Zammitt5Joshua Stott6ADAPT Lab, UCL Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonADAPT Lab, UCL Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonADAPT Lab, UCL Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonADAPT Lab, UCL Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonUCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonUCL Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonADAPT Lab, UCL Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College LondonAbstract Background Informal carers of people living with dementia are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health difficulties than the general population, yet many are not able to access timely psychological support and their psychological needs are often overlooked. It is therefore important to develop a greater understanding of carers’ lived experiences in accessing and attending psychological therapy, to help tailor therapies to meet their individual needs. To our knowledge, this is the first thematic synthesis of qualitative literature on carers’ experiences of accessing and taking part in psychological therapies. Methods Three databases were systematically searched for qualitative literature, and 23 studies were included. Their quality was assessed and the data extracted was included in the thematic synthesis. Results Findings were organised into five overarching themes: i) Mental health and relationship difficulties (context); ii) Overall positive experiences of therapy (including specific techniques, therapist factors and therapeutic relationship, social support); iii) Common changes experienced (e.g. increased awareness of one’s emotions and needs, increased self-care and self-compassion); iv) Unhelpful experiences of therapy, suggestions and further needs; and v) Impact of wider societal contexts and events. Conclusions Given the predominantly positive experiences of therapy and mechanisms of change described, findings suggest that psychological therapies can be helpful for carers of people living with dementia. Additionally outlined are specific techniques to tailor therapy (regardless of approach) to best meet carers’ needs, and suggestions for improvement. Future research should try to understand for whom and under what circumstances (e.g. wider contexts) psychosocial interventions become most effective in this population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05986-7Dementia caregiversPsychological therapySystematic reviewThematic synthesis |
| spellingShingle | Jacquelyn Yang Caroline Fearn Amber John Sarah Hoare Seryn Chang David Zammitt Joshua Stott A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia BMC Geriatrics Dementia caregivers Psychological therapy Systematic review Thematic synthesis |
| title | A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia |
| title_full | A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia |
| title_fullStr | A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia |
| title_full_unstemmed | A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia |
| title_short | A systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia |
| title_sort | systematic review and thematic synthesis on the experiences of accessing and attending psychological therapy for informal carers of people living with dementia |
| topic | Dementia caregivers Psychological therapy Systematic review Thematic synthesis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05986-7 |
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