Gendering Guilt among Dependent Family Members’ Caregivers

Abstract

This study analyzes guilt among family caregivers of dependent patients, from a gender perspective. A qualitative design was used, conducting in-depth interviews and focus groups. Using purposive sampling, we selected 73 family caregivers and 23 health professionals (family medicine, community nursing, and social work) from the Primary Care District of Seville. The content of the information collected was analyzed in terms of the following categories: a) guilt for abandoning family and friends; b) guilt for the relationship with the dependent person; and c) guilt for placing the relative in a nursing home. To validate the findings, data sources, methodological techniques, and researchers' disciplines were all triangulated. Results indicated that women report more guilt than men for abandoning family and friends, and because of their relationship with the dependent person. However, with respect to nursing home placement, no difference was observed as a function of gender. The high incidence of caregiver guilt needs to be addressed by health professionals to avoid the emergence of other mental health issues.

The experience of gender in spousal caregiving: A phenomenological psychological study (Greece).

“…Literature shows that caregivers experience guilt for various reasons: actions, limitations, negative emotions, relationship changes, and for neglecting other areas, connecting guilt with emotional distress (Gallego-Alberto et al, 2022). Research also suggests that women feel guiltier for leaving dependents alone or neglecting other areas, while men feel guilty for not performing domestic tasks and losing patience (Brea et al, 2016). In this study, caregivers’ guilt had two components: interpersonal guilt, arising from caregiving motivations, prompting reparatory acts of attentiveness to the care recipient’s needs, and intrapsychic guilt that appeared as a dysphoric feeling associated with personal distress and a fear of transgressing moral standards related specifically to gender norm violation (Carnì et al, 2013).…”

Las metáforas del cuidado en las vivencias y sentimientos de las personas cuidadoras

“…19,24 Tal y como algunos estudios expresan, los hombres son poco dados a la expresión de sus emociones, tienen mayor autocontrol emocional. 28,29 Se observa que los hombres se están incorporando al cuidado, esto es muy positivo, se debe seguir trabajando en esta inserción hasta llegar a una situación de igualdad real en los cuidados. 30,31 Actualmente, sus incorporaciones, salvo las excepciones presentadas, son de cuidadores secundarios y por sus circunstancias personales, ser soltero o haber vuelto al domicilio de los padres.…”

“…30 Esto es la expresión del posicionamiento social, "cada una debe estar donde se le ha dicho que debe estar", si no ocupamos el lugar "designado", se sufre. 28 Por lo que cuidar es cultural y no natural. 30 En un estudio previo, las metáforas del cuidado expresan que el mantenimiento de los cuidados es posible gracias al laberinto patriarcal configurado en la capacidad de entrega para los demás de las mujeres.…”

Modelo De Adaptação Em Um Ensaio Clínico Controlado Com Cuidadores Familiares De Pessoas Com Doenças Crônicas

“…35 In the self-concept mode: symptoms of depression, 36 anxiety, 35 emotional stress, 36 somatization, 37 low self-esteem, 38 constant worry, feelings of uncertainty, 39 anger, guilt, 40 resentments, sadness, 35 feeling of frustration, [41][42] of burden, [43][44] feeling of lack of control over one's own life, 45 among others. In the role function mode: role conflict, 9 dissatisfaction with caregiver role.…”