Exploring Informal Carers' Gendered Experiences as Shaped During the Care of Older Individuals in Need of Rehabilitation, 2021

The phenomenological research study at the University of Ioannina explored the lived experiences of spousal caregivers providing rehabilitation care for older individuals with brain injury-related disorders. Data collection occurred between July 2021 and October 2021 and involved in-depth qualitative interviews with 11 spousal caregivers. Participants were purposefully selected to capture diverse caregiving trajectories while focusing on shared experiences of caregiving within a Greek cultural context. The interviews examined the caregivers’ lifeworld, including the emotional, social, and practical dimensions of caregiving, and their insights into the impact of caregiving on their identity and relationships. The study findings aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of spousal caregiving in the rehabilitation setting and inform future support strategies for caregivers<p>The overarching aim of this project was to explore what it is like the experience of gender for spousal caregivers of older people undergoing rehabilitation within the Greek community. The objectives to support the inquiry were a) to describe the gendered patterns of perception, thought, feelings and behaviour of spousal caregivers, b) to investigate the normative structures that constitute the experience of gender, and c) to explore the sense of agency in the experience of gender. This project used a phenomenological qualitative method design to investigate the experience of gender as culturally and institutionally constructed and, at the same time, intentionally and subjectively lived. The phenomenological analysis of the transcripts of the eleven participants recruited for this study provided insight into the structure of the experience of gender for the spousal caregivers as a normative diachronic identity in a succession of phases: normative constitution, alienation, and reparation offering a tentative framework for examining spousal caregivers' experiences and psychological outcomes in the caregiving trajectory from a gender perspective. The findings illuminate the influence of stereotypical attributes linked to femininity and masculinity on self-concept, agency, and the formulation of caregiving evaluations and practices highlighting the importance of incorporating an intersectional perspective in future research and interventions with caregivers, considering factors such as gender, sexuality, gender relations, age, division of labour, power dynamics, cultural norms, and values. The results indicate that both male and female caregivers feel alienated upon embarking on the caregiving journey, with specific gender-based vulnerabilities that impact their psychological well-being. By recognizing these vulnerabilities and addressing gendered expectations and societal pressures, interventions can foster caregivers' mental health and facilitate the development of effective coping strategies. The findings emphasise the complexity of empathy and its connection to the experience of stressors and coping strategies employed by caregivers. They also shed light on the multifaceted nature of guilt experienced by caregivers, elucidating its sources and connection to gendered self-perception while highlighting its effects on caregivers' well-being. The research highlights the moral dimension of caregiving and its relationship with a sense of obligation, gender norms and motivations. It calls for challenging self-sacrificial morals and societal norms associated with them to empower caregivers to prioritize their well-being while sustaining their motivations in caregiving. This shift in perspective can lead to a more positive and fulfilling caregiving experience.</p>希腊约阿尼纳大学开展的此项现象学研究（phenomenological research），聚焦为脑损伤相关障碍（brain injury-related disorders）老年群体提供康复照料的配偶照料者（spousal caregivers）的真实生活体验。数据采集工作于2021年7月至2021年10月间开展，共对11名配偶照料者实施了深度质性访谈（in-depth qualitative interviews）。研究采用目的性抽样方式遴选参与者，以期捕捉多样化的照料历程，同时聚焦希腊文化语境下配偶照料的共通体验。访谈内容围绕照料者的生活世界（lifeworld）展开，涵盖照料活动的情感、社交与实践维度，以及照料者对于自身身份与人际关系受照料行为影响的认知。本研究结果旨在深化学界对康复场景下配偶照料的理解，并为未来照料者支持策略的制定提供参考依据。 本项目的核心目标是探究希腊社群中，接受康复治疗的老年群体的配偶照料者，其性别体验的真实内涵。为支撑此项探究，本研究设定三项具体研究目标：其一，描述配偶照料者在感知、思维、情感与行为层面的性别化模式；其二，探究构成性别体验的规范结构；其三，探索性别体验中的能动性（sense of agency）感知。本项目采用现象学质性研究设计，旨在探究作为文化与制度建构、同时又被个体主观且有意识地践行的性别体验。对本次研究招募的11名参与者的访谈转录稿（transcripts）进行现象学分析后，研究团队得以洞察配偶照料者的性别体验结构：其作为一种历时性的规范身份，历经规范建构、疏离感与修复三个阶段，为从性别视角探究配偶照料历程中的照料体验与心理结果提供了一套尝试性分析框架。研究结果揭示了与女性气质、男性气质相关的刻板印象特质，如何对照料者的自我概念、能动性以及照料评价与实践的形成产生影响，凸显了在未来针对照料者的研究与干预中融入交叉视角（intersectional perspective）的重要性——需同时考量性别、性取向、性别关系、年龄、劳动分工、权力动态（power dynamics）、文化规范与价值观等多重因素。研究结果表明，无论男性还是女性照料者，在开启照料之旅时均会产生疏离感，且存在特定的基于性别的脆弱性，这些脆弱性会对其心理福祉（psychological well-being）造成负面影响。通过识别此类脆弱性并应对性别化期待与社会压力，相关干预措施可助力照料者改善心理健康，并帮助其形成有效的应对策略（coping strategies）。研究结果强调了共情的复杂性，以及其与照料者所面临的压力源及采用的应对策略之间的关联。同时，研究也阐明了照料者所经历的愧疚感的多面性，厘清了其来源及与性别化自我认知的关联，并凸显了愧疚感对照料者福祉的影响。本研究凸显了照料行为的道德维度，及其与义务感、性别规范与照料动机之间的关系。研究呼吁学界与社会挑战自我牺牲式的道德观及其相关社会规范，以赋能照料者在维持照料动机的同时，优先关注自身福祉。这种视角的转变，可助力照料者获得更积极且更具获得感的照料体验。