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Clare, Linda and Shakespeare, Pamela
(2004).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301204042338
Abstract
Dialectical and social constructionist approaches to dementia emphasize the importance of social interaction, and recent work has begun to call for a more relationship-based approach. However, little attention has yet been paid to the interactions of couples where one partner has early-stage demntia. This article describes some of the findings from an exploratory, qualitative study investigating conversational interactions between people with early-stage dementia and their spouses. Analysis of data from ten couples draws primarily on voice-relational analytic methods to explore how these couples use talk in conversation to negotiate and co-construct an account of their situation, and to outline the dimensions of resistance in this context. The findings suggest a need to attend to interaction and convesation from the very earliest stages of dementia. The concept of resistance, as evidenced in the interactions presented here, provides a freamework that can assist in this endeavour.