Cultural variants of caregiving or the culture of caregiving
Ayalong, L.
Journal of Cultural Diversity 11(4): 131-138
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1071-5568 PMID: 15786797 Document Number: 569597
Research has shown that ethnic variations in caregiving exist. However, less attention has been given to the common experience of caregiving, across ethnic group affiliation. Semi-structured interviews with African American, Caucasian American, and Latino caregivers were conducted to understand the common experience of caregiving. Four major themes that characterized the caregiving experience across the three ethnic groups were identified. Participants described a tradition of family care, prevalent across the three ethnic groups. Familial conflicts, caregiving dissonance, and low levels of use of formal services also were prominent characteristics of the caregiving experience across the three ethnic groups. Results support the existence of a culture of caregiving prevalent across ethnic group affiliation.