Abstract
The ability to form secure attachments shapes the experience of feeling safe in distressing situations. Dementia is often described as a distressing situation which activates the attachment system. Consequently, how people with dementia and caregivers attach to one another informs how safety may be experienced in such circumstances. This thesis has sought to understand how attachment influences the experience of both the person with dementia and their caregiver. Part one presents a literature review on the ‘interactive attachment dyad’ between the person with dementia and caregiver. Findings suggested that interactions within the dyad is a complex phenomenon. Conflicting results across papers highlighted difficulty in understanding how attachment influences the reciprocal interactions that take place between people with dementia and caregivers. Future research could include exploratory observational research of interactions that take place within the dyad, and explore the relevance of attachment theory. Part two presents an empirical paper which qualitatively explored staff caregivers’ understanding of their interactions with, and relationship to, residents in the mid to later stages of dementia in the care home setting. This sought to consider the relevance of attachment within the caregiving relationship. Findings highlighted that a care home setting shares many of the features usually associated with the concept of a secure base in attachment theory. The findings suggest that an attachment-focused model of care may be useful to consider across policies, clinicians and service-levels. Future research is considered.