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. 2025 Jul 1;13(1):634.
doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02979-4.

Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study

Poursoleiman Leila  1 , Rooddehghan Zahra  1 , Bahramnezhad Fatemeh  2 , Shafiee Sabet Mahdi  3 , Dehghan Nayeri Nahid  4
Affiliations

Perceived experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study

Poursoleiman Leila et al. BMC Psychol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Increasing attention is being paid to preventing the progression of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Today, there is a growing emphasis on listening to the "voice" of people with mild cognitive impairment to ensure patient-centered care. However, how these individuals are perceived and how they experience their illness remains underexplored, necessitating further research to achieve a comprehensive understanding. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adults with mild cognitive impairment, including their challenges, emotions, and personal insights.

Methods: This study was conducted from 2023 to 2024 using a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis. The study involved 16 adults who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, with a purposive sampling approach that maximized diversity. The data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis according to Granheim and Lundman.

Results: The results of the data analysis revealed two main categories: emotional schemas in mild cognitive impairment and understanding the meaning of the diagnosis. The subcategories of the main category Emotional schemas in mild cognitive impairment included (1) understanding one's emotional nature (2), hidden narratives ranging from blaming to seeking empathy, and (3) understanding the need for others. The subcategories that emerged from the "understanding the meaning of the diagnosis" category were (1) finding meaning in the face of cognitive impairment and (2) understanding meaning as a diminishing life experience.

Discussion and conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the experience of mild cognitive impairment involves more than just cognitive problems. A deeper understanding of these experiences could contribute to the development of more effective interventions and improve the quality of life for adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Keywords: Adults; Mild cognitive impairment; Perceived experience; Qualitative studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The entire procedure adhered to the ethical standards for qualitative research and MCI patients. All procedures were approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (code: IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1403.020). The ability of the participant with mild cognitive impairment to give informed consent was first assessed and confirmed by a neurologist, and the MoCA tool was used to determine the cognitive level and ability to give informed consent. Various methods were used to facilitate obtaining informed consent from participants. These included conducting interviews in the participants’ native language, identifying and addressing potential medical issues (e.g., sedation, dehydration, anxiety), creating a calm environment for the interviews, and scheduling interviews early in the day. In one case, informed consent was obtained from both the patient and her guardian, as the participant was illiterate (p. 8). In another case, informed consent was obtained from the patient’s guardian based on the neurologist’s diagnosis (p. 3). In cases where guardian consent was obtained, both the process and the rationale for acquiring it were thoroughly documented. Participants or their guardians provided informed consent for the interviews and audio recordings. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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