This portfolio thesis consists of three parts; a systematic literature review, an empirical study, and a set of appendices.Part one is a systematic literature review, reviewing literature regarding the relationship between the way patients with Parkinson’s Disease cope with their illness and the degree of depressive symptoms they experience. This review was undertaken as it has been suggested that psychological variables may influence the presence of depressive symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease, and coping may be one such variable. Identification of adaptive or maladaptive ways of coping could potentially aid effective targeting of psychological interventions for depressive symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease.Part two of this portfolio is an empirical study exploring the impact of specialist palliative care on coping for patients with Parkinson’s Disease and their carers. Despite recommendations that palliative needs are considered throughout the course of Parkinson’s Disease, referral to specialist palliative care is less common for this population than in other illnesses such as cancer, despite these illnesses being associated with similar challenges. Specialist palliative care appears to be beneficial in helping patients with other illnesses and their carers cope, however there is a lack of research exploring the impact of such services in Parkinson’s Disease. This study aimed to contribute to the discussion regarding whether such services should be developed and made more accessible for patients with Parkinson’s Disease and their carers.Part three consists of a set of appendices relating to both parts one and two
