Qualitative inquiry of cancer caregiving during young adulthood: responsibilities, challenges, teamwork, and social support

Inequities Among Cancer Caregivers with Diverse Identities: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The number of older adults with cancer relying on support from caregivers continues to increase. Health disparities in older adults with cancer often extend to their caregivers. This review aims to assess the state of cancer caregiving research in historically underrepresented diverse populations and provide recommendations for future research and policy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Research on caregivers of older adults with cancer from diverse backgrounds has primarily been descriptive. Health disparities for historically underrepresented caregivers (LGBTQ + , BIPOC, rural, young adults, youth) exist across several dimensions (e.g., financial, mental, and physical health, and access to caregiver support). Few published studies have closely examined the unique experiences of these caregivers nor provided culturally appropriate tailored interventions. Health equity research within caregiving populations is in its infancy. Priorities for future work should focus on identifying modifiable targets for intervention, changing systems-level processes in acknowledging and supporting caregivers, and creating policies that reduce financial inequities of caregiving.

Complex identities, intersectionality and research approaches in millennial family caregivers in the United States

AIMS

A discussion of the personal and social contexts for Millennial family caregivers and the value of including complex identity and intersectionality in Millennial family caregiving research with practical application.

DESIGN

Discussion paper.

DATA SOURCES

This discussion paper is based on our own experiences and supported by literature and theory.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Millennial family caregivers have distinct generational, historical and developmental experiences that contribute to the care they provide as well as their own well-being. Complex identity, the integration of multiple identities, and intersectionality, systems and structures that disempower and oppress individuals with multiple identities, need to be addressed in nursing research so intervention tailoring and health equity can be better supported in this population. From research conceptualization and design to data analysis, data must be used intentionally to promote equity and reduce bias. The inclusion of diverse Millennial caregivers throughout all stages of the research process and having a diverse nursing research workforce will support these efforts.

CONCLUSION

Millennial family caregivers comprise one-quarter of the family caregiving population in the United States, and they are more diverse than previous family caregiving generational cohorts. Their needs will be more fully supported by nursing scientists with the adoption of methods and techniques that address complex identity and intersectionality.

IMPACT

Nursing researchers can use the following research approaches to address complex identity and intersectionality in Millennial caregivers: inclusion of qualitative demographic data collection (participants can self-describe); data disaggregation; data visualization techniques to augment or replace frequencies and descriptive statistics for demographic reporting; use of researcher reflexivity throughout the research process; advanced statistical modelling techniques that can handle complex demographic data and test for interactions and differential effects of health outcomes; and qualitative approaches such as phenomenology that centre the stories and experiences of individuals within the population of interest.