A blog analysis of the association between multiple identities and psychological wellbeing in persons with dementia

OBJECTIVES: The Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) provides a framework for understanding how social identities support adjustment to major life transitions. We examined whether the number of social identities predicts psychological wellbeing among older adults living with dementia. METHODS: Using a mixed-methods design, we analyzed 245 blog posts written by 49 people with dementia (25 men, 24 women). RESULTS: Bloggers who referenced a greater number of social identities in their online narratives reported higher positive wellbeing and greater empowerment. This association between multiple social identities and positive wellbeing was stronger for men than for women. For women, having more social identities was linked to greater positive wellbeing, particularly empowerment, but also to higher negative wellbeing, including greater disempowerment and pessimism. This pattern may reflect the greater relational and emotional demands experienced by women living with dementia. Severity of dementia symptoms predicted higher negative wellbeing. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of supporting diverse social identities to enhance positive wellbeing in people with dementia. They also underscore the conceptual independence of positive and negative wellbeing, indicating the need to assess them separately and to develop targeted strategies for addressing each. We discuss sociopsychological interventions that strengthen community ties and foster meaningful social relationships.