Surviving Manifestationsof Selfhood in Alzheimer’s Disease

TLDR

The study applies Social Construction Theory to analyze selfhood in the natural conversational discourse of a moderately to severely Alzheimer’s patient. The analysis reveals that while personal identity (Self 1) and core attributes (Self 2) remain intact, deficits linked to Alzheimer’s pathology emerge in Self 2, and that the patient’s social personae (Self 3) are preserved but become vulnerable when others focus on dysfunctional Self 2 traits; conversely, emphasizing remaining healthy Self 2 attributes enables the patient to maintain dignified social roles and derive satisfaction.

Abstract

A Social Construction Theory analysis of selfhood is applied to the natural conversational discourse of a person moderately to severely afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Revealed in this discourse is an intact Self 1, the self of personal identity, and an intact Self 2, comprised of mental and physical attributes and related beliefs. New Self 2 attributes include deficits connected to the neuropathology of the disease. The multiple Self 3 social personae, which require the cooperation of healthy others, are found to exist but this aspect of self is vulnerable to the extent to which the attention of others is focused on new dysfunctional Self 2 attributes. If others focus on dysfunctional Self 2 attributes, the afflicted person’s social persona is restricted to ‘the patient’. If attention is focused on remaining healthy Self 2 attributes, it is possible for the afflicted person to construct worthy Self 3 personae in which he or she can take pride and enjoy a measure of satisfaction.