Attachment and filial caregiving: contributions to research and intervention in dementias

Abstract

This review highlights the relevance of attachment in dementia, specifically in two domains: the psychological experience of individuals with dementia and the experience of their caregivers. During April 2013, a search was conducted in reference databases. The analyzed studies suggest that secure attachment functions as a protective resource throughout the life span for dealing with stressful or threatening situations, such as dementia and caregiving. In individuals with dementia, fixation on parents reflects the continuing role of parents as attachment figures who provide feelings of security and well-being. In caregivers, secure attachment enhances caregiving competence and protects against burden. In this context, implications for research and intervention in Social Gerontology are discussed.