African American male caregiving for adult care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Barbara Pollard Deskins (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Susan Letvak
Abstract: This qualitative descriptive study describes the experiences of 13 African American (AA) men who acted as caregivers to adult chronically ill or debilitated loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased prevalence of caregivers for this vulnerable group of AA men will enhance the need for more formal and informal caregiving resources. Due to caregivers’ evolving demographic landscape, men have assumed an increased role as family caregivers across the U.S. The experiences of African American male caregivers are lacking in the caregiver literature. Given the study’s time, COVID-19 has persisted, exposing the study participants to the pandemic’s unprecedented effects. The Revised Sociocultural Stress and Coping Model (SSCM) guided the study. Interviews using a semi-structured guide facilitated the discourse between the researcher and the participants, which led to the participants addressing the following research questions: 1. How do African American male caregivers describe their decision to become caregivers? 2. How do African American male caregivers perceive their caregiver role? 3. What coping strategies and support systems do African American caregivers use? 4. What has been the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of African American male caregivers? 5. What are significant stressors described by African American male caregivers before, during, or after the pandemic? Findings indicated that the participants saw the caregiver role as positive, highlighting attributes such as honor, commitment, reciprocity, and duty. Adverse effects were exemplified as decreased social interactions, sacrifice, financial burden, and physical and/or emotional impact resulting from the caregiving demands. Mediating factors such as coping styles, support groups, spirituality, and religious beliefs were influenced by AA caregiving men’s cultural values and beliefs. Study findings demonstrate a lack of awareness of respite care availability and a lack of social relationships with other men. Additional results include (a) hesitancy in accepting the COVID-19 vaccine, (b) the lack of health care providers’ awareness of the caregiver’s physical and/or emotional health status, and (c) a lack of disclosure on sexuality and intimacy as a secondary (adverse) consequence of being a male caregiver. Study findings have implications for nursing practice, education, and policy development. Future research needs are also identified.
African American male caregiving for adult care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Created on 8/1/2021
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2021
- Keywords
- African American male caregivers, Black male caregivers, Caregiving, COVID-19 caregiving, Male caregivers
- Subjects
- COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-
- Male caregivers
- African American men