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When “being with” becomes “caring for”: exploring the informal male carers’ experiences of caring for those with cancer and/or dementia
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Horton-Smith, Rosemary (2018) When “being with” becomes “caring for”: exploring the informal male carers’ experiences of caring for those with cancer and/or dementia. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3494566~S15
Abstract
Background:
Social isolation and loneliness are found to be commonly experienced by informal carers, often elderly and already isolated by the demands of the caring role. There are 850,00 people with dementia in the UK, predicted to reach 2 million by 2051. In the UK, there are approximately 1.6 million people over 65 living with cancer, set to increase to 4.1million by 2040, which suggest that there may be a prolonged caring role for informal carers for those with cancer and/or dementia.
Aim: The aim of the study is to examine the informal male carers’ experience of social isolation and loneliness during caring at home for those with advancing cancer and/or dementia.
Research Question: How does caring for someone at home with advanced cancer or dementia affect informal male carer experiences of changing social and personal relationships?
Methodology: A qualitative approach using phenomenology was utilised. Semi-structured interviews with 9 male carers over 3 episodes were conducted. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied to the data. A contextual behavioural science (CBS) model was applied to the findings. Findings: The overarching findings of this study which encapsulate the informal male carers experiences were: i) when ‘being with’ becomes ‘caring for’, ii) a sense of self, iii) ‘being separate together’, and iv) ‘connecting friendship with support’. The CBS approach highlighted the process of change involved within caring.
Conclusions:
The men in this study identified difficulties in associating themselves with being either a husband or a carer. They are husbands first and foremost; caring changes their sense of self; caring changes their relationships for those they are caring for friends and family. These changes are experienced when ‘being with’ becomes caring for’. These findings have huge and immediate implications for policymakers.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Caregivers, Caregivers -- Family relationship, Caregivers -- Case studies, Social isolation | ||||
Official Date: | October 2018 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Warwick Medical School | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Young, Annie M. ; Nanton, Veronica, 1951- | ||||
Format of File: | |||||
Extent: | 247 leaves : illustrations | ||||
Language: | eng |
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