'Everyday problem solving' and ‘theory of mind' in the dementias

Impairments in everyday problem solving have been found in participants with
neurodevelopmental disorders (Channon et al, 2001; 2003) and brain injuries,
Channon and Crawford (1999). Impairments in Theory of Mind (ToM) have
been found in participants with neurodevelopmental disorders, Baron-Cohen et
al (1985), brain injuries, (Bach et al, 2000; Rowe et al, 2001) and Pronto-
Temporal Dementia (FTD), Gregory et al (2002). The aims of the present study
were to investigate whether there was impairment of everyday problem solving
in the dementias; the contribution of Executive Functioning (EF), ToM and
abstract language abilities to everyday problem solving ability and whether
there was a relationship between everyday problem solving or ToM to social
functioning. Twelve participants with a dementia and thirteen healthy older
adult control participants completed measures of everyday problem solving, EF,
ToM and abstract language. Participants with a dementia produced significantly
poorer quality solutions to everyday problems, than healthy older adults, but
were unimpaired in the number of potential solutions they were able to
generate. The study did not indicate a relationship between general cognitive
functioning, EF or ToM and everyday problem solving. Participants with a
dementia also did significantly poorer on ToM tests. It was not demonstrated
that either general cognitive functioning or EF was related to ToM performance.
There was no evidence for the hypothesised relationship between everyday
problem solving or ToM and social behaviour. Methodological limitations of the
study are discussed and suggestions for future research are made. Reflections
on the research process include discussion of opportunities and challenges for
clinical psychologists conducting research with clinical populations.

This thesis supplied via ROAR to UEL-registered users is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, and duplication of any part of the material is not permitted, except for your personal use for the purposes of non-commercial research and private study in electronic or print form. You must obtain permission from the copyright-holder for any other use. Electronic or print copies may not be offered, for sale or otherwise, to anyone. No quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement.