Culture, Caregiving, and Health: Exploring the Influence of Culture on Family Caregiver Experiences

Abstract

Ethnic minorities are expected to experience a greater demand for family caregiving than non-Latino Whites due to their projected population growth. Although the consensus of researchers on caregiving and culture finds that the caregiving experience differs significantly among cultural/ethnic groups, the question remains as to how cultural values and norms influence the caregiver experiences. We conducted an interpretative, phenomenological qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts from four groups (African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and European American) for cultural influences on caregiving. Data were collected in Nevada between December 7, 2009, and August 20, 2010. Thirty-five caregivers participated in this study. We found commonalities among all of the cultural/ethnic groups in their experiences of the difficulties of caregiving. However, there were some significant differences in the cultural values and norms that shaped the caregiving experience. We categorized these differences as: (a) cultural embeddedness of caregiving, (b) cultural determinants of caregiving responsibilities or taxonomy of caregiving, and (c) cultural values and norms underlying the decision to provide care. The significance of this study is that it highlights the culturally perceived mandate to provide care in the African, Asian, and Hispanic American cultures.

The influence of Chinese culture on family caregivers of stroke survivors: A qualitative study

“…Parallels with existing caregiving research on informal caregiving in China are limited. The most relevant studies focus on cultural or ethnic differences among caregivers residing in developed countries (Jones, Zhang, Jaceldo‐Seigl, & Meleis, ; Pharr, Dodge Francis, Terry, & Clark, ; Tang, ; Yeung et al. ).…”

Sex Differences in Ischemic Heart Disease

“…90 Furthermore, women, particularly of ethnic minorities, experience a greater demand for family caregiving responsibilities, which in turn is associated with chronic stress, time constraints for self-care, and ultimately poor health outcomes. 91 Improved recognition of barriers to seeking care including time constraints, primary caretaker responsibilities, and psychosocial stress is important. Alternate modes of delivery such as telemedicine or web-based approaches that offer flexible hours and personalized treatment options may be better embraced by women.…”

Caregiving and the Family

“…A study carried out to explore the inluence of culture on family caregiver experience revealed that among African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and European American, there were commonalities in the experience of caregiving and the challenges that come with. However, signiicant distinctions appeared in the cultural norms, beliefs and values that shaped the caregiving experience of the people [11]. Cultural diversity across nations has resulted in the diferences observed in the employment of informal caregiving or formal caregiving.…”

“…Although home care is a more preferred option for elderly and terminally ill patients, the society, and cultural beliefs also determines the choice of home care for terminally ill patients. In countries ruled by the idea of collectivism, the act of family members caring for their older relatives, their chronically/terminally ill relatives are common [11]. On the other hand, in individualistic societies, there is usually a shift away from informal care in the home for chronically/terminally ill relatives to a more formalized form of care [11].…”

“…In countries ruled by the idea of collectivism, the act of family members caring for their older relatives, their chronically/terminally ill relatives are common [11]. On the other hand, in individualistic societies, there is usually a shift away from informal care in the home for chronically/terminally ill relatives to a more formalized form of care [11]. Thus, a form of care, which is designed basically for patients nearing the end of life, i.e.…”