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Worrell S, Waling A, Anderson J, Lyons A, Pepping CA, Bourne A. 'It feels meaningful': How informal mental health caregivers in an LGBTQ community interpret their work and their role. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2024; 26:808-823. [PMID: 37705445 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2023.2256833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Many members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, and queer (LGBTQ) communities provide informal mental health support to peers. This type of support is valuable for people who receive it - even helping to prevent suicide. It is also meaningful to those who provide it. In this article, we focus on how LGBTQ people derive meaning from their experiences of supporting peers. In-depth interviews with 25 LGBTQ people in Melbourne, Australia, indicate that those providing informal mental health support to fellow community members recognise their roles as meaningful in three main ways: in terms of self, relationships and communities. Recognising the meanings that LGBTQ caregivers derive from helping fellow community members provides useful information service providers and policymakers seeking to better address mental distress in LGBTQ communities and support caregivers. It is useful to understand this meaningful work in an LGBTQ context as caregiving that challenges gendered and heteronormative assumptions about what care is, and who provides it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Worrell
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrea Waling
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joel Anderson
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anthony Lyons
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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Roncone R, Giusti L, Bianchini V, Casacchia M, Carpiniello B, Aguglia E, Altamura M, Barlati S, Bellomo A, Bucci P, Cascino G, Concerto C, Fagiolini A, Marchesi C, Monteleone AM, Pinna F, Siracusano A, Galderisi S. Family functioning and personal growth in Italian caregivers living with a family member affected by schizophrenia: Results of an add-on study of the Italian network for research on psychoses. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1042657. [PMID: 36713911 PMCID: PMC9880038 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1042657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, the role of family members in caring for relatives affected by schizophrenia has focused largely on the negative aspects of impact of the illness. The present study aimed to: (1) assess family functioning and burden of care in caregivers living in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy who looked after subjects affected by chronic schizophrenia; (2) evaluate the relationship between aspects of family functioning and burden of care, in particular personal growth (PG) of caregivers; and (3) identify variables capable of affecting PG of caregivers. A total of 136 caregivers (mean length of illness of family member more than 20 years) were recruited from 9 Italian research sites and evaluated in terms of "positive" family functioning-problem-solving, communication skills and personal goals Family Functioning Questionnaire (FFQ), burden of care, and PG Family Problems Questionnaire (FPQ). Caregivers reported an overall good family functioning with a relatively low objective and subjective burden of care. The latter was positively correlated with length of illness, with women showing a higher subjective burden than men. Reduced problem-solving skills and ability of each family member to pursue personal goals were both associated with reduced objective and subjective burden which, conversely, were both increased by inadequate support and scarce positive comments from relatives and friends. Approximately 50% of caregivers stated that "they had learned something positive from the situation," highlighting a statistically higher proportion of caregivers in southern Italy than in northern and central Italy. Caregivers' PG was associated with good family functioning, adequate professional support, and positive comments. PG also seemed to be positively influenced by support from relatives and friends (O.R. 14.306). The numerous challenges and positive aspects associated with caregiving should be duly acknowledged by mental health services and integrated into routine clinical assessment and intervention framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Roncone
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Laura Giusti
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valeria Bianchini
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Massimo Casacchia
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Bernardo Carpiniello
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eugenio Aguglia
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Mario Altamura
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefano Barlati
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Brescia University, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonello Bellomo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Paola Bucci
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giammarco Cascino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," Section of Neuroscience, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Carmen Concerto
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Carlo Marchesi
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Federica Pinna
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Siracusano
- Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvana Galderisi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Cormican O, Meskell P, Dowling M. Psychosocial vulnerability among carers of persons living with a chronic illness: A scoping review. Int J Nurs Pract 2021; 28:e13024. [PMID: 34741488 DOI: 10.1111/ijn.13024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To outline and examine evidence related to the meaning of 'psychosocial vulnerability' among caregivers of persons with chronic illnesses. BACKGROUND The number of informal caregivers continues to rise globally. Their risk of psychosocial vulnerability is frequently overlooked, but understanding their psychosocial vulnerability may offer insights into meeting their needs. DESIGN Scoping review following the PRISMA 2020 extension guidelines. DATA SOURCES The databases CINAHL, Embase, Medline/Pubmed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Lenus and ProQuest were systematically searched to identify original research. No date limit was set, and 23 studies were included. REVIEW METHODS A five-step approach using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Thematic analysis guided data analysis. RESULTS Carers' psychosocial vulnerability occurs when they experience barriers to resources while access and use of supports reduce risk. Antecedents of psychosocial vulnerability include a carer's age and sex, socioeconomic status and their health and wellbeing. Psychosocial vulnerability affects carers' relationships and causes personal losses. CONCLUSIONS The concept of carers' psychosocial vulnerability is complex. Recognition of carers at risk for psychosocial vulnerability would help nurses direct relevant support and information to carers who need it most.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pauline Meskell
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Maura Dowling
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Gottschalk S, Neubert L, König HH, Brettschneider C. Balancing care demands and personal needs: A typology on the reconciliation of informal dementia care with personal life based on narrative interviews. DEMENTIA 2021; 20:2689-2707. [PMID: 33847550 PMCID: PMC8670745 DOI: 10.1177/14713012211008306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Finding a balance between care and personal needs is often challenging for individuals caring for a person with dementia. The present study aimed to understand how primary and secondary family carers of people with dementia perceive the reconciliation of informal care and their personal life throughout the course of care. Narrative interviews with 14 carers (n=10 female, mean age: 48.79) from seven care networks were conducted. The interviews were analysed using the documentary method. The result was a relational type formation which comprises different process types: ‘Respect your boundaries, stay calm, but plan ahead’, ‘Acting strategic is making it work’, ‘Reflect the situation, deal with it, and pull it through’ and ‘There is no alternative, you have to live with it’. This typology was based on two related dimensions: the way people negotiate their own needs against the demands of care (prospective, strategic, reflective and limited) and the resulting attitudes towards reconciling informal care and personal life (accepting, withstanding and enduring). The results yield implications for practice, such as considering individual needs and the care network to provide effective support and promoting the importance of self-care behaviours to achieve a balance between care and personal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Gottschalk
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, 37734University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Germany
| | - Lydia Neubert
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, 37734University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, 37734University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Germany
| | - Christian Brettschneider
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, 37734University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Germany
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The association between informal caregiving and behavioral risk factors: a cross-sectional study. Int J Public Health 2020; 65:911-921. [PMID: 32519023 PMCID: PMC7426287 DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01402-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to compare informal caregivers/dementia caregivers to non-caregivers regarding alcohol consumption, smoking behavior, obesity, and insufficient physical activity and to identify caregiving-related factors (caregiving intensity, length of caregiving, relationship to the care recipient, and type of caregiving task) which are associated with behavioral risk factors in caregivers/dementia caregivers. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we performed the statistical analyses applying logistic regression models and accounted for confounding using the entropy balancing approach. Results For caregivers (n = 12,044), the odds of overweight/obesity and smoking were higher (OR = 1.14/1.34, p < 0.05) and the odds of binge drinking and insufficient physical activity were lower (OR = 0.86/0.83, p < 0.05) than for non-caregivers (n = 45,925). For dementia caregivers, results point in the same direction. Caregiving-related variables tend to influence the likelihood of behavioral risk factors, but depending on the kind of factor considered, in different directions. Conclusions Being a caregiver is associated with risky and health-promoting behavior. However, the effects are relatively low. Future studies should study potential pathways between caregiving characteristics, psychological impacts of caregiving, health behavior, and mental or physical health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00038-020-01402-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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