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Family caregiving in dementia : experiences of adult-children and of husbands or male partners
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Katsukunya, Matipa (2023) Family caregiving in dementia : experiences of adult-children and of husbands or male partners. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: https://pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3981193
Abstract
This thesis contains three chapters. Chapter one details the systematic literature review conducted, appraising qualitative empirical literature that explored adult children’s perceptions and experiences of caring for a parent with dementia. Twelve studies were included, and findings were synthesised using Thomas and Harden’s (2008) thematic synthesis approach. Three themes with associate subthemes emerged from the synthesis: Adjusting to the Caregiving Role; Coping and Needs; and Systemic Context. Recommendations include reviewing post diagnostic support for caregivers and considering the use of systemic family therapy in helping to restore communication amongst family members disagreeing about a person’s treatment. Third wave approaches to manage caregiver burden and advance future care planning for both caregiver and their parent are also discussed.
Chapter two is an empirical qualitative study exploring the experiences of men who provide informal care to their spouse or partner with dementia. Nine male caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology was used to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences. Three Group Experiential Themes were identified: Dementia Entering into our Lives, The Difficulties and Challenges of Caregiving, and Living with Dementia in our Relationship. The themes captured how caregiving gradually evolved into a permanent role, contributing to participants having to adapt to their new role and changes in their lives whilst considering whether familial or formal support was needed. Participants encountered emotional and physical challenges in their role, as well as recognising the changes to their relationship in now looking after two people. There was reluctance from participants to involve formal caregiving and voluntary services. Participants also conveyed a sense of stoicism and of not wanting to allow the challenges faced to impede on their ability to care, despite the impact it had on their physical and emotional wellbeing. Clinical implications and future research recommendations are discussed.
Chapter three is a reflective paper outlining the author’s experiences of the process of undertaking a doctoral research thesis. This chapter draws on the Social GGRRAAACCEEESSS Model (Burnham, 2013) to structure reflections on the experiences of completing an empirical research project whilst recognising aspects of difference between myself and the participants I interviewed.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Dementia -- Patients -- Care -- Case studies, Male caregivers, Caregivers, Caregivers -- Family relationships, Family psychotherapy | ||||
Official Date: | April 2023 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Department of Psychology | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Patterson, Tom ; Stocks, Greg ; Cook, Julia ; Pavlou, Claire | ||||
Format of File: | |||||
Extent: | 160 pages : illustrations | ||||
Language: | eng |
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