How does identity relate to cognition and functional abilities in early-stage dementia?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between identity and cognitive and functional abilities in people with early-stage dementia.

METHOD

Fifty people in the early stages of dementia completed measures of identity and cognitive and functional abilities, including autobiographical memory. Multiple regression analyzes were used to determine whether it was possible to predict any of the variance in identity from cognitive and functional abilities, or from autobiographical memory alone.

RESULTS

It was possible to predict approximately a quarter of the variance in two out of three aspects of identity from cognitive and functional abilities. The relationships between aspects of identity and autobiographical memory functioning were very weak.

DISCUSSION

The relationship between identity and cognitive and functional abilities is not straightforward. There is no evidence to suggest a linear relationship between an overall decline in cognitive functioning and a deterioration in identity.