RELATION BETWEEN PREMORBID PERSONALITY AND PATTERNS OF EMOTION EXPRESSION IN MID-STAGE TO LATE-STAGE DEMENTIA

Twenty-seven nursing home patients with mid-to late-stage dementia par ticipated in a study of the relation between preillness personality, a s indexed by attachment and emotion regulation style, and current emot ional behavior. Preillness measures were completed by family members a nd current assessments of emotion were supplied by nursing home aides and family members; in addition, emotion was coded during a family vis it using an objective coding system for facial emotion expressions. At tachment style was found to be related to the expression of positive a ffect, with securely attached individuals displaying more positive aff ect than avoidantly attached individuals. In addition, high ratings on premorbid hostility were associated with higher rates of negative aff ect and lower rates of positive affect. These findings indicate that p remorbid aspects of personality show continuity over time, even in mid -to late-stage dementia. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.