Meaning in mind: Unraveling the role of spontaneous cognition for meaning in life in dementia

Dementia is the most pressing concern of our aging society and one we are currently ill-equipped to handle. Mounting evidence points to the importance of experiencing meaning in life for well-being in dementia. However, the mechanisms by which meaning is established and maintained remain poorly understood. The current proposal addresses this knowledge gap by forwarding spontaneous cognition as a key mechanism in the daily construction of meaning. The overarching aim of the project is to determine the manifestation of spontaneous cognition in dementia and its dynamic relation with the experience of meaning in life. In three studies, an incremental move from lab-based towards more naturalistic research environments enables to elucidate this relation across different contexts (lab, clinic, nursing home) and time spans (a short task, one day, two weeks). In doing so, the project will be the first to apply an experience sampling approach in daily life in a dementia population. By adopting an integrative position, this work will unite the fields of meaning in life and cognitive psychology to break new ground in characterizing the inner experience of people with dementia. Findings from this work contribute fundamentally to the conceptualization of meaning in dementia, offer methodological innovation, and provide vital insights into the mental lives of people with dementia, which is an important foundation for the improvement of person-centered dementia care.