The Lived Experience of Informal African American Male Caregivers

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Ann Weinland

Informal caregivers play a major role in providing care to loved ones within the home and demands for dependent care are likely to increase. Informal caregivers are likely to continue to be responsible for the majority of care for loved ones living well into late stages of life. This article describes the lived experience of African American men providing care to a relative within the home and explores their definition of caregiver distress. The phenomenological study was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 10 Christian African American men. Demographic data about the caregiver and the care recipient were collected. Common themes included: commitment, support (family support and formal health-related support), spirituality, and caregiver burden (stress, time strain and financial strain). Implications include the need for health care providers to expand their knowledge related to the diversity of caregivers and to use culturally relevant comprehensive assessments of caregivers and recipients, discharge planning tools, and community resources.

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexia Barnable ◽  
Alice Gaudine ◽  
Lorna Bennett ◽  
Robert Meadus

Limited attention has been paid to experiences of individuals with siblings diagnosed with schizophrenia. The purpose of this article is to address this gap by exploring the impact of having a brother or sister with schizophrenia. The lived experience of 6 individuals with a sibling with schizophrenia was explored using van Manen’s (1997) Hermeneutic Phenomenology. Four themes were identified: struggling to understand, struggling with the system, caring for the sibling, and seeing beyond the illness. Health care providers need to re-evaluate current approaches for assisting individuals to cope with having a sibling with schizophrenia. Inclusion in the plan of care and recognition of their struggle is essential for individuals having a sibling with schizophrenia.


2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 409-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo D. Moore ◽  
Jill B. Hamilton ◽  
George J. Knafl ◽  
P.A. Godley ◽  
William R. Carpenter ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine if a particular set of health behaviors of health care providers and African American men (AAM) influence patient satisfaction from the AAM’s perspective. This descriptive, correlational study consisted of 505 AAM in North Carolina diagnosed with prostate cancer and enrolled in the North Carolina–Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP). Analyses consisted of bivariate analyses and multiple regression. Patient-to-provider communication, interpersonal treatment, and provider-to-patient communication accounted for 45% ( p ≤ .0001) of the variability in patient satisfaction. Interpersonal treatment (provider focusing on the patient) explained the greatest amount ( F = 313.53, R2 = .39) of patient satisfaction. Since interpersonal treatment focuses on the patient and demonstrated to be the strongest predictor in patient satisfaction, it is noteworthy to consider the emphasis that should be placed on patient-centered care. In addition, knowing important variables positively affecting patient satisfaction provides useful information for developing appropriate interventions to improve AAM health care experiences.


Author(s):  
Jumelie A. Miller

BACKGROUND: Depression is a debilitating disease that can significantly affect one’s life. Perceived discrimination has been shown to have an impact on depressive symptoms. The purpose of this review is to examine the relationship between discrimination and depressive symptomatology. AIMS: This literature review provides a synthesis of recent literature that provides valuable information that can be used to recognize depressive symptomatology and to improve health outcomes for African American men experiencing depression. METHODS: This literature review examines the current literature and synthesizes 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria utilizing metanarrative methodology with RAMSES standards. Attention was paid to the six guiding principles characteristic of a metanarrative review. PRISMA guidelines were followed for this review. Articles that focused on specific subsets of the African American male community were excluded. RESULTS: It was noted that perceived discrimination was positively associated with depressive symptomatology in African American men. While similar methods for measuring depression were noted in several of the studies, measurement of discrimination varied. Additional factors that appeared to have an association with the relationship between discrimination and depression in this population included social supports, masculine role norms, and sociodemographic factors such as age. CONCLUSION: This synthesis of the literature also can be used to improve health care providers’ engagement with this population to improve the quality of care and health care outcomes. As a result of this review it was found that a positive relationship exists between discrimination and depressive symptomatology in African American men.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 802-803
Author(s):  
Cristina de Rosa ◽  
Rebecca Lorenz ◽  
Suzanne Sullivan

Abstract Informal caregivers experience both burdens and benefits from caregiving. This analysis aimed to determine whether caregiver perceptions of burdens and benefits predicted feelings of confidence in their abilities. In the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) Round II (2015), we identified 1,390 caregivers as “primary” for providing the greatest number of care hours in the past month to individuals age 65 and over. Logistic regression was performed to assess the influence of primary caregivers’ gender, age, relationship to their care recipients, and self-reported indications of burdens and benefits on the odds that they would report confidence in their abilities. Caregivers were more likely to report confidence in their abilities when caregiving taught them to deal with difficult situations (OR=5.93, 95% CI [4.67, 7.54]), gave them satisfaction that their care recipient was well cared for (OR=1.97, 95% CI [1.26, 3.04]), and when caregiving brought them closer to their care recipient (OR=2.61, 95% CI [2.02, 3.36]). Caregivers were less likely to feel confident if they reported frequent changes in routine (OR=.78, 95% CI [.64, .96]). The final model predicted confidence (chi-square = 525.383 [4] p < .001) and correctly classified 78.7% of cases. All other variables were non-significant. These findings suggest that confidence in abilities is influenced by caregivers’ perception of learning to handle difficult situations, satisfaction, closeness to the recipient, and burdens associated with changes in routine. Future research should further explore burdens and benefits of caregiving. Health care providers should routinely assess caregivers and provide referrals for additional resources.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Michelle Brisco ◽  
Sandra P. Small

A growing body of evidence indicates that doula support improves childbirth outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine women’s lived experience of such support. Hermeneutic phenomenology was used to carry out and analyze in-depth interviews with 14 women who had doulas for support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period. Six main themes were revealed. The women were aiming for the best birthing experience, and they believed to achieve this they needed extra support and to have a full say in their childbirth experiences. The doulas helped the women to have peace of mind prenatally, and all but one woman had an overall satisfying experience with their doulas. Whether satisfied or dissatisfied with their personal doulas, all the women believed that having a doula is valuable. However, choosing the right doula matters because a comfortable relationship between a woman and her doula is essential to achieving the best birthing experience. Health care providers and policymakers must recognize the importance women place on constant and personalized support during childbirth and endeavor to provide such care.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 16-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Leonard ◽  
Pat Mayers

Premature and low birthweight infants pose particular challenges to health services in South Africa. While there is good evidence to demonstrate the benefits of kangaroo care in low birthweight infants, limited research has been conducted locally on the experiences of parents who provide kangaroo care to their preterm infants. This phenomenological study explores the lived experience of parents who provided their preterm infants with kangaroo care at a tertiary-level maternity centre in the Western Cape. In-depth interviews were conducted with six parents: four mothers and two fathers. Data was analysed using an adaptation of the approaches described by Colaizzi (1978:48-71) and Hycner (1985:280-294). To ensure trustworthiness, the trustworthiness criteria described by Guba and Lincoln (1989:242-243) were applied. Kangaroo care is a phased process, each phase bringing a unique set of experiences. The eight themes that emerged are described: unforeseen, unprepared and uncertain - the experience of birth; anxiety and barriers; an intimate connection; adjustments, roles and responsibilities; measuring success; a network of encouragement and support; living-in challenges; and living with the infant outside of hospital. Challenges facing health care providers are described and recommendations for information about kangaroo care and support for parents are made. Opsomming Vroeggebore babas en babas met ’n lae geboortegewig stel besondere uitdagings vir Suid-Afrikaanse gesondhiedsdienste. Daar bestaan goeie bewyse dat die kangaroesorgmetode voordelig is vir babas met ’n laegeboortegewig, dog is minimale plaaslike navorsing gedoen oor die ondervindinge van ouers wat hierdie metode gebruik om vir hul vroeggebore babas te sorg. Hierdie fenomenologiese studie verken die geleefde ervaringe van ouers wat vir hulle vroeggebore babas deur middel van die kangaroesorgmetode in ’n tersiêre kraamsentrum in die Weskaap gesorg het. Data is ingesamel deur in-diepte onderhoude met ses ouers te voer: vier moeders and twee vaders van vroeggebore babas. Data is ontleed volgens ’n verwerking van die metodes soos deur Colaizzi (1978:48-71) en Hycner (1985:280-294) beskryf. Om betroubaarheid te verseker, is die betroubaarheidskriteria van Guba en Lincoln (1989:242-243) toegepas. Kangaroesorg is ’n geleidelike proses; elke fase lei tot ‘n unieke stel ondervindinge. Agt temas is uit die data geïdentifiseer: Onverwags, onvoorbereid en onseker - die geboorte-ervaring; angstigheid and hindernisse; ’n intieme verband; aanpassings, rolle en verantwoordelikhede; die meting van sukses; ’n netwerk van aanmoediging en ondersteuning; die uitdagings van binne die hospitaal leef; saamleef met die baba buite die hospital. Uitdagings wat gesondheidspersonnel te voorstaan kom en aanbevelings oor inligting met betrekking tot kangaroesorg en ondersteuning aan ouers word voorgestel.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-198
Author(s):  
Jade C. Burns ◽  
Shawtaabdee Chakraborty ◽  
Denise Saint Arnault

Background. African American adolescents and young adults have an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. With rising rates of sexually transmitted infections among this population, deeper consideration is now being focused on using social media to engage, educate, and improve sexual behavior in this group. Purpose. To determine why social media is useful and how it may affect the attitude, norms, and perceived behavioral control on condom use among young African American males (YAAMs) ages 18 to 21. Method. Group-depth interviews ( n = 41, mean age = 19, SD = 1.2) were conducted in metro Detroit to understand and describe the who, what, where, why, and how regarding social media use and preference among YAAMs) ages 18 to 21, and their condom use behaviors. Results. The most popular reasons for using social media were for educational purposes, entertainment, browsing the site, self-expression, seeking out or maintaining relationships with friends and family, and social justice. YouTube was stated as the easiest site to promote condom use education. YAAMs would seek out condom use education on social media sites if someone respected in the community or someone famous promoted condom use messages on the sites or if it was used to show where condoms were available for free or for purchase. Conclusion. Understanding how YAAMs use social media may help researchers design better questions to address disparities within this population. More important, it can help health care providers, families, and the community promote healthy behaviors and lifestyle changes among YAAMs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Farrell ◽  
Marta Bustillo ◽  
Carel W. le Roux ◽  
Joe Nadglowski ◽  
Eva Hollmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Obesity is a prevalent, complex, progressive and relapsing chronic disease characterised by abnormal or excessive body fat that impairs health and quality of life. It affects more than 650 million adults worldwide and is associated with a range of health complications. Qualitative research plays a key role in understanding patient experiences and the factors that facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of health interventions. This review aims to systematically locate, assess and synthesise qualitative studies in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the lived experience of people with obesity. Methods This is a protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis of the lived experience of people with obesity. A defined search strategy will be employed in conducting a comprehensive literature search of the following databases: PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, PsycArticles and Dimensions (from 2011 onwards). Qualitative studies focusing on the lived experience of adults with obesity (BMI >30) will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, abstracts and full-text articles and abstract data. The quality of included studies will be appraised using the critical appraisal skills programme (CASP) criteria. Thematic synthesis will be conducted on all of the included studies. Confidence in the review findings will be assessed using GRADE CERQual. Discussion The findings from this synthesis will be used to inform the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)-funded SOPHIA (Stratification of Obesity Phenotypes to Optimize Future Obesity Therapy) study. The objective of SOPHIA is to optimise future obesity treatment and stimulate a new narrative, understanding and vocabulary around obesity as a set of complex and chronic diseases. The findings will also be useful to health care providers and policy makers who seek to understand the experience of those with obesity. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020214560.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismat Babiker ◽  
Mohamed K. Elnaeim ◽  
Awab K.Elnaeim

Abstract Objective: the objective of this study was to assess the awareness of the community in Sudan of which seizure type(s) should present to health care providers.Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive internet-based survey that was conducted in Sudan during the period from January to April 2018, using google forms. The survey consisted of demographic data (age, gender, educational level), a statement evaluating participants’ sources of obtaining information regarding epilepsy, a statement assessing awareness about the primary care provider for people with epilepsy (PWE), and a statement describing the symptomatology of different seizure types in simple Arabic, asking what description(s) participants thought should present to health care providers. We included participants residing in Sudan, and those with a college degree or higher education. Four hundred sixty-seven participants completed the survey.Results: 467 participants were included, of whom, 279 (60%) were females. The mean age of participants was 28 years. Two-thirds of participants obtained their information from non-scientific sources. 84% of the participants were aware that doctors are the primary health care providers for people with epilepsy.The majority (92.%) of participants were aware that patients with symptoms corresponding to the generalized tonic-clonic seizure description should present to doctors, compared with two-thirds of participants for focal seizure symptom description, and only 30.6 % of participants for absence seizure symptom description.Conclusion: This study demonstrated poor awareness about the necessity of presentation for focal and absence seizures. We hypothesize that this lack of awareness may contribute to the epilepsy treatment gap, and we recommend further studies to examine this hypothesis.


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