Older husbands as caregivers of their wives: a descriptive study of the context and relational aspects of care.
The purpose of this study was to describe the context and relational aspects that characterize male caregiving. The sample comprised 323 older husbands caring for their wives in Quebec (Canada). Nearly 60% of them spent at least 84 h/week caregiving and about 40% regularly performed personal care and instrumental tasks. Family provided emotional support above all and service utilization was limited for certain services. Husbands perceived relational deprivation but also personal gain relative to their role. Conflicts seldom occurred with family members. Comparisons between husbands of wives with and without memory problems revealed selected differences on context and relational variables. This study contributes to knowledge on male caregivers and provides directions for nursing practice and research.
Ducharme
Francine
F
Faculté des Sciences Infirmières, Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, 4565 Queen-Mary Road, Montréal, Qc, Canada H3W 1W5. francine.ducharme@umontreal.ca
Lévesque
Louise
L
Lachance
Lise
L
Zarit
Steven
S
Vézina
Jean
J
Gangbè
Marcellin
M
Caron
Chantal D
CD
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011792:Quebec; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data