Family Caregiving in Japan

Abstract

Caring culture is a concept embodying the perceptions and caring practices of caregivers, acknowledging the unique role of cultural beliefs in shaping behavior. A qualitative descriptive study with 13 caregivers of adult family members with a cancer diagnosis in Japan was conducted to gain insight into perceptions and experiences surrounding caregiving. Several major categories were identified, representing rarely reported cultural constructs of high cultural value for the Japanese: On-repayment for what the patient has given, Caregiving as performing a socially expected role, Enryo/meiwaku-restraint in asking for help, Family decision making reflecting strong bonds, Omoiyari-empathizing with the patient's feelings, and Inori-praying to myriad gods and ancestors. The Japanese cultural construct of ie (the strong relationship to family lineage and spiritual connection to past and future generations) is helpful in understanding these categories. Invisible yet powerful cultural constructs permeated caregiving practices. Insights from Japanese cultural concepts and beliefs may foster sensitivity and individualized care in diverse settings, cultures, and societies.

Caregiving motivations and experiences among family caregivers of patients living with advanced breast cancer in Ghana

“…This evidence was further confirmed in Yeung et al's [19] quantitative study of male spouses who cited that marital obligation may influence the decision to accept the role of caregiving for women living with advanced breast cancer. Also, our finding that caregiving was based on reciprocity supports previous research which showed that caregiving can be viewed as a form of repaying of good deeds formerly obtained from patients [48].…”

A purposeful Yet Nonimposing Approach: How Japanese Home Care Nurses Establish Relationships With Older Clients and Their Families

“…This finding supports those of previous studies stating that Japanese nurses attempt to create enabling favorable environment in which clients/family members can easily open up their anxieties (Yamamoto-Mitani, Noguchi-Watanabe, & Fukahori, 2016). The Japanese tend to read the covert context for mutual understanding in communication (Takahashi & Fuse, 2012;Takemura & Kanda, 2003;Tsujimura et al, 2016), and clients/family members sometimes hesitate to verbalize feelings and problems (Yamaguchi et al, 2016;Yamamoto-Mitani et al, 2016). Laying the groundwork by producing a comfortable atmosphere may be an effective approach to help client/family members disclose themselves.…”

“…The Japanese tend to distinguish one situation from another by the concept of uchi-soto (ingroup–outgroup) (Lebra, 1976). Family members often hesitate to discuss problems outside of the family because it is viewed as shameful or bothersome to others; thus, problems are typically solved within the family (Yamaguchi, Cohen, & Uza, 2016). In addition, the Japanese family uses a collective decision-making process even for personal matters because the goal of the family is to maintain harmony (Yamamoto-Mitani & Wallhagen, 1998).…”

How Psychosocial Factors Contribute to Japanese Older Adults’ Initiation of Advance Care Planning Discussions: A Qualitative Study

“…On the contrary, only witnessing their family members' end of life without any experience of caregiving did not seem to influence their perception about their own end of life. Caregiving for the family has been traditionally considered as repayment of social debts or duties owed by individuals who have previously received favors from family members who were cared for (Yamaguchi et al, 2016). While this consideration about caregiving may provide caregivers with motivation for caregiving, caregivers may feel dissatisfied and burdened if the burden of caregiving is overwhelming.…”

“…Familycentered decision making has been rooted deeply in Japanese culture until now, having a great influence on the care of older adults by their family members. The cultural values at the core of family caregiving are mainly centered on strong family ties and a sense of empathy in the Japanese society (Asai & Kameoka, 2005;Yamaguchi et al, 2016). This sense of empathy, Omoiyari, is an important value in the Japanese culture and defined as the ability and willingness to feel what others are feeling (Lebra, 1976).…”