Robert W. Levenson
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View article: The role of specific affects in the psychopathology of dementia family caregivers.
The role of specific affects in the psychopathology of dementia family caregivers. Open
Caregiving for a person with dementia is a highly emotional experience and can evoke numerous negative and positive affects. Not surprisingly, dementia caregivers are vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders. In this study, 95 caregiver-pe…
View article: Interpersonal Physiological Linkage Between People With Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease and Their Informal Caregivers
Interpersonal Physiological Linkage Between People With Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease and Their Informal Caregivers Open
Physiological linkage, which refers to the degree that people's peripheral physiological responses change in coordinated ways, has been linked to a variety of psychiatric and developmental conditions. In contrast, physiological linkage in …
View article: Lower income level is associated with less favorable health trajectories in caregivers of people with neurodegenerative disease after caregiving ends
Lower income level is associated with less favorable health trajectories in caregivers of people with neurodegenerative disease after caregiving ends Open
Caregivers with lower income may be vulnerable to persistent negative health outcomes after active caregiving has ended. Finding ways to support lower-income caregivers is crucial for maintaining their health after caregiving has ended.
View article: Associations between dementia symptoms and caregiver and relationship health: A prominent role for speech and language
Associations between dementia symptoms and caregiver and relationship health: A prominent role for speech and language Open
Background Dementia is a significant public health issue globally. People with dementia (PWD) exhibit symptoms in multiple domains (e.g., cognition, emotion, motor, speech/language) that can vary in their impact on the caregiver and the PW…
View article: In-Home Assistive Technology May Help Protect Dementia Caregivers from Declining Sleep Efficiency: A Randomized Control Trial
In-Home Assistive Technology May Help Protect Dementia Caregivers from Declining Sleep Efficiency: A Randomized Control Trial Open
Technology-based interventions that help monitor the home may support caregivers' sleep. Protecting caregivers' sleep may also preserve their ability to provide high-quality care as their loved one's disease and associated functional decli…
View article: Caregiver Assessment of Socioemotional Functioning in People Living With Neurodegenerative Disease (Part 1): Construct Validity of a New Measure
Caregiver Assessment of Socioemotional Functioning in People Living With Neurodegenerative Disease (Part 1): Construct Validity of a New Measure Open
Background and Objectives Neurodegenerative diseases cause socioemotional changes that are commonly measured using laboratory-based assessments. However, these assessments can be labor-, cost-, and time-intensive. We aim to establish the p…
View article: I THINK I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL: NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF EMOTION PERCEPTION IN FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA
I THINK I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL: NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF EMOTION PERCEPTION IN FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA Open
Neurodegenerative diseases lead to deficits in cognitive functioning that could disrupt the ability to perceive others’ emotions. We examined whether cognitive deficits in semantic knowledge and executive function relate to two aspects of …
View article: IN-HOME ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROTECTS DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS FROM WORSENING SLEEP EFFICIENCY
IN-HOME ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROTECTS DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS FROM WORSENING SLEEP EFFICIENCY Open
Caregivers for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment often report sleep problems due to heightened vigilance concerning worrisome behaviors (e.g., falls, wandering) by their care recipients (CRs). Interventions are needed to he…
View article: EVALUATING IN-HOME ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
EVALUATING IN-HOME ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Open
Dementia caregivers are at heightened risk for developing mental and physical health problems. Interventions designed to protect caregiver health often create additional demands on time and energy (e.g., exercise programs). Technology-base…
View article: Perceptions about dementia clinical trials among underrepresented populations: a nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers
Perceptions about dementia clinical trials among underrepresented populations: a nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers Open
Background The research community has historically failed to enroll diverse groups of participants in dementia clinical trials. A unique aspect of dementia care research is the requirement of a study partner, who can attest to the care rec…
View article: Perceptions about dementia clinical trials among underrepresented populations: A nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers
Perceptions about dementia clinical trials among underrepresented populations: A nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers Open
Background: The research community has historically failed to enroll diverse groups of participants in dementia clinical trials. A unique aspect of dementia care research is the requirement of a study partner, who can attest to the care re…
View article: Interpersonal Linkage in Positive and Negative Emotional Behaviors, Emotional Well-Being, and Physical Functioning in Dementia Caregivers
Interpersonal Linkage in Positive and Negative Emotional Behaviors, Emotional Well-Being, and Physical Functioning in Dementia Caregivers Open
Caring for a person with dementia (PWD) can produce declines in caregivers’ emotional well-being and physical functioning, which could result from disruptions in the emotional linkage between PWDs and caregivers. We examined the effects of…
View article: Emotion Regulation Strategies and Mental Health in Dementia Caregivers: The Moderating Role of Gender
Emotion Regulation Strategies and Mental Health in Dementia Caregivers: The Moderating Role of Gender Open
Introduction: Providing care for a loved one with dementia can engender intense emotions that contribute to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Caregivers often attempt to regulate their emotions using strategies like cognitive reappraisal…
View article: PHYSIOLOGICAL LINKAGE WITH CAREGIVERS IS ASSOCIATED WITH EMOTION RECOGNITION IN CARE RECIPIENTS
PHYSIOLOGICAL LINKAGE WITH CAREGIVERS IS ASSOCIATED WITH EMOTION RECOGNITION IN CARE RECIPIENTS Open
Persons with neurodegenerative diseases (PWDs) often develop profound declines in the ability to recognize emotions in others that lead to diminished social connectedness with their loved ones. Physiological linkage, which refers to the de…
View article: Wearable‐based measures of proximity and movement are associated with activities of daily living in people with dementia and perceived burden in family caregivers
Wearable‐based measures of proximity and movement are associated with activities of daily living in people with dementia and perceived burden in family caregivers Open
Background As the disease progresses, people with dementia (PWDs) gradually lose their ability to conduct activities of daily living (ADLs) independently and increasingly rely on family caregivers (CGs) for assistance and support. This can…
View article: TECHNOLOGY-BASED ASSESSMENT OF EMOTIONS AND SOCIAL BEHAVIORS IN OLDER ADULTS’ AND COUPLES’ HOMES
TECHNOLOGY-BASED ASSESSMENT OF EMOTIONS AND SOCIAL BEHAVIORS IN OLDER ADULTS’ AND COUPLES’ HOMES Open
As people age, emotions and close social interactions are increasingly important because our social circle tends to shrink. Research on social and emotional aging typically relies on questionnaires and laboratory assessments. However, most…
View article: Perceptions about Dementia Clinical Trials
Perceptions about Dementia Clinical Trials Open
Background The research community has historically failed to enroll diverse populations in dementia clinical trials. A unique aspect of dementia care research is the requirement of a study partner, who can attest to the care recipient’s cl…
View article: REMOTE ASSESSMENTS OF EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
REMOTE ASSESSMENTS OF EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS Open
Emotional impairments are a common symptom of neurodegenerative disorders that can be devastating for persons with the dementia (PWDs) and family members who provide care (i.e., caregivers). Emotional functioning can be well characterized …
View article: POSITIVE EMOTION LANGUAGE PREDICTS IMPROVING DEPRESSION TRAJECTORIES AFTER DEMENTIA CAREGIVING ENDS
POSITIVE EMOTION LANGUAGE PREDICTS IMPROVING DEPRESSION TRAJECTORIES AFTER DEMENTIA CAREGIVING ENDS Open
There are striking differences among caregivers of people with dementia (PWDs) in how their health and well-being changes during active caregiving; however, less is known about these differences after caregiving has ended. One important fa…
View article: LOWER INCOME IN CAREGIVERS PREDICTS LESS EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IMPROVEMENT AFTER CAREGIVING ENDS
LOWER INCOME IN CAREGIVERS PREDICTS LESS EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IMPROVEMENT AFTER CAREGIVING ENDS Open
Lower income in familial caregivers has been shown to associate with increased distress, depression, and burden during active caregiving. However, findings are less clear on whether lower income associates with changes in well-being that o…
View article: Summit on Clinical Science Training: Summary of Meeting Proceedings
Summit on Clinical Science Training: Summary of Meeting Proceedings Open
The Summit on Clinical Science Training held in May, 2023, brought together a wide range of people who have a strong interest in clinical science training. This document summarizes the proceedings.
View article: Empathic Accuracy and Shared Depressive Symptoms in Close Relationships
Empathic Accuracy and Shared Depressive Symptoms in Close Relationships Open
Empathic accuracy, the ability to accurately understand other people’s emotions, is typically viewed as beneficial for mental health. However, empathic accuracy may be problematic when a close relational partner is depressed because it pro…
View article: Evaluating In-home Assistive Technology for Dementia Caregivers
Evaluating In-home Assistive Technology for Dementia Caregivers Open
Technology-based interventions can help reduce CG anxiety, a major adverse consequence of caregiving that may be difficult to treat due to other demands on caregiver time and energy.
View article: A mindfulness-based intervention adapted to dementia caregivers: A study protocol for a randomized clinical control trial
A mindfulness-based intervention adapted to dementia caregivers: A study protocol for a randomized clinical control trial Open
Dementia caregiving, besides encompassing various challenges in tandem to the diagnosis of the care recipient, is associated with decreased psychological well-being and mental health. Accordingly, caregivers’ wellbeing has an impact on the…
View article: The Effect of COVID‐19 Lockdown on Dementia Caregivers in the U.S.
The Effect of COVID‐19 Lockdown on Dementia Caregivers in the U.S. Open
Background In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, mandated state lockdowns in the U.S. profoundly changed day‐to‐day life for many individuals providing informal care for a person with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The present stud…
View article: POSITIVE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION AND CAREGIVER WELL-BEING IN BEHAVIORAL-VARIANT FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA
POSITIVE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION AND CAREGIVER WELL-BEING IN BEHAVIORAL-VARIANT FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA Open
Behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by impairment in socioemotional functioning. Spouses caring for individuals with bvFTD often experience profound health/well-being declines, compared to Alzheimer’s diseas…
View article: EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING IN PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND CAREGIVER AFFECT DURING DYADIC INTERACTIONS
EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING IN PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND CAREGIVER AFFECT DURING DYADIC INTERACTIONS Open
Dementia caregivers can experience negative affect when interacting with their care recipients. However, few studies have examined the specific factors that predict caregiver negative affect in this dyadic context. We hypothesized that def…
View article: REMOTELY MEASURED IN-HOME DISTANCE FROM CARE RECIPIENT PREDICTS DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS’ LONELINESS
REMOTELY MEASURED IN-HOME DISTANCE FROM CARE RECIPIENT PREDICTS DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS’ LONELINESS Open
Caregivers (CGs) of a family member with dementia often experience increased loneliness, which can result from reduced social interactions and increased physical distancing associated with care recipient’s (CR) disease progression. Through…
View article: INFORMAL DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS' EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES DURING CONFLICT AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
INFORMAL DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS' EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES DURING CONFLICT AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS Open
Emotional interactions may change as a result of dementia and negatively impact caregivers’ mental health. We examined 62 dementia caregivers’ emotional experiences during conflict with their partners, including 22 individuals with behavio…