Change in the psychological self in people living with dementia: a scoping review

Over 46 million people live with dementia globally, a number expected to triple by 2050 (Mukadam et al, 2019). Dementia has a significant negative impact on memory and, in turn, the sense of self (Jetten et al, 2010). It has been reported that one of the most distressing symptoms of dementia is a feeling of identity loss associated with gaps in autobiographical self-knowledge (Addis & Tippett, 2004). The human experience of ‘selfhood’ is conceptualised in this review as the knowledge of having a unique identity and physical presence in the world, accompanied by a strong sense of continuity overtime (Ross et al., 2011). However, selfhood is a multidimensional and complex concept. The existing literature on the impact of dementia on selfhood consists of distinct studies employing diverse methods as well as often focusing on individual manifestations of the psychological self. Thus, it is currently not known what the nature and scope of the available evidence is on the potential changes in selfhood in people living with dementia. For the purpose of the current scoping review, only the cognitive aspects of self will be considered as social constructions of the self are beyond our objectives; consequently, the term psychological self will be used. Recognising the multidimensional nature of the psychological self, the current scoping review aims to explore the impact of dementia on selfhood.