"He is changing, but I'm changing too": An interpretative phenomenological analysis of spouse caregivers' identity in the context of dementia.
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| Title: | "He is changing, but I'm changing too": An interpretative phenomenological analysis of spouse caregivers' identity in the context of dementia. |
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| Authors: | Westrelin, Nicolas, Denève, Catherine, Gérain, Pierre, Zech, Emmanuelle |
| Source: | Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. Dec2024, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p888-897. 10p. |
| Subjects: | Group identity, Spouses, Interviewing, Descriptive statistics, Caregivers, Attitude (Psychology), Experience, Research methodology, Dementia, Phenomenology, Data analysis software, Caregiver attitudes |
| Abstract: | Objective: This study explores the process through which informal caregivers, particularly spouses, construct their identity within the context of caregiving for individuals with dementia. Despite extensive research in psychology aimed at defining caregiving (e.g. tasks, consequences), few informal caregivers identify themselves as such. For instance, the affective bond shared between caregivers and care‐recipients often imbues caregiving responsibilities with a sense of "naturalness," especially if the care‐recipient is a spouse. Methods: To investigate the nature of caregiver identity construction, eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted with spouse caregivers of dementia patients. The collected data underwent interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Perceiving changes in my partner, which involves recognising alterations in the care‐receiver's characteristics due to dementia; (2) Processing changes, encompassing the experience of grieving losses and reminiscing about the past; and (3) Perceiving changes in myself, referring to the acknowledgement of personal changes due to caregiving. Conclusion: The study emphasises the dynamic and ongoing nature of caregiver identity construction, which begins with the early recognition of changes in the care‐receiver. Interestingly, spouse caregivers oscillate between their identity as a spouse and caregiver, influenced by how they process changes undergone by their partner. Contrasting with previous theories on caregivers' identity, our results focus of caregivers' perceptions rather than their relationship with the care‐recipient or caregiving tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: This study explores the process through which informal caregivers, particularly spouses, construct their identity within the context of caregiving for individuals with dementia. Despite extensive research in psychology aimed at defining caregiving (e.g. tasks, consequences), few informal caregivers identify themselves as such. For instance, the affective bond shared between caregivers and care‐recipients often imbues caregiving responsibilities with a sense of "naturalness," especially if the care‐recipient is a spouse. Methods: To investigate the nature of caregiver identity construction, eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted with spouse caregivers of dementia patients. The collected data underwent interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Perceiving changes in my partner, which involves recognising alterations in the care‐receiver's characteristics due to dementia; (2) Processing changes, encompassing the experience of grieving losses and reminiscing about the past; and (3) Perceiving changes in myself, referring to the acknowledgement of personal changes due to caregiving. Conclusion: The study emphasises the dynamic and ongoing nature of caregiver identity construction, which begins with the early recognition of changes in the care‐receiver. Interestingly, spouse caregivers oscillate between their identity as a spouse and caregiver, influenced by how they process changes undergone by their partner. Contrasting with previous theories on caregivers' identity, our results focus of caregivers' perceptions rather than their relationship with the care‐recipient or caregiving tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 02839318 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/scs.13287 |
