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Gendering Guilt among Dependent Family Members’ Caregivers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 November 2016

Maria-Teresa Brea ,
María-Jesús Albar  and
Rosa Casado-Mejia
Maria-Teresa Brea*
Affiliation:
Centro de Salud Marqués de Paradas del Distrito de Atención Primaria Sevilla (Spain)
María-Jesús Albar
Affiliation:
Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)
Rosa Casado-Mejia
Affiliation:
Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to María-Teresa Brea Ruiz. Centro de Salud Marqués de Paradas del Distrito de Atención Primaria Sevilla. 41001. Sevilla (Spain). E-mail: [email protected]
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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.

Keywords

dependent patientsfamily caregiversfeelings of guilthealth professionals
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 19 , 2016 , E80
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2016 

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