title: The Experience of Men Caring for a Partner With Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: The aim of this study was exploring the experience of male caregivers living with a partner with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  
  A qualitative study was conducted following a grounded theory approach. Twenty-four men-husbands or partners of a woman diagnosed with MS-were interviewed in-depth. A thematic analysis was carried out and involved line-by-line coding with codes deriving from narratives.
  
  
  
  Five major themes emerged: caregiving as a full-time job; changes in the couple; the importance of social support and social life; gender specificities; and fear of the future.
  
  
  
  Results highlight the complexity of issues surrounding this specific form of caregiving. Social expectations referring to the marital relationship and to gender norms play a central role.
  
  
  
  Findings can help in developing ad hoc interventions to support male spousal caregivers to care for their partners.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Psychology, University eCampus, Italy. chiara.rollero@uniecampus.it.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rollero
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; caregiving; gender issues; qualitative study