title: Experiences of rural male caregivers of older adults with their informal support networks.
abstract: More male caregivers are assuming primary caregiving roles for older adults with chronic health conditions. One of the main sources of support for many caregivers is the assistance that is provided by members of their informal support network. Little is known about the relationship between male caregivers and their informal support networks. This qualitative study examines the experience of male caregivers with their informal support networks, specifically looking at two phenomena: (1) Perceptions of the male caregivers about the willingness of their informal support networks to provide caregiving assistance and (2) Willingness of the male caregivers to ask their informal support networks for assistance. Twenty male caregivers were recruited across a rural Midwestern state. Each male caregiver engaged in two interviews that lasted between 60 and 120 minutes. Seven themes emerged from the data about the male caregivers experience with their informal support networks. Results from this study have implications for geriatric health professionals who work with male caregivers to obtain the necessary amount of caregiving assistance.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, The University of Iowa, 355 North Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support