Psychology Division, School of Education and Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK.
Scand J Caring Sci. 2024 Mar;38(1):104-113. doi: 10.1111/scs.13199. Epub 2023 Jul 31.
COVID-19 has increased pressures on caregivers, disruptions to health services and increased health concerns during COVID-19. Reports have been made on informal carers' increased workload and limited support services during the pandemic.
This study aimed to explore how informal caregivers experienced their well-being during COVID-19 through online discussion forums.
A reflexive thematic analysis characterised by theoretical flexibility, organic inductive coding processes and theme development was conducted on online discussion forums. The method highlighted theme reviewing which was done twice to encourage data reflection. The project was conducted on a novel topic which was a new area of research interest. Semantic coding where participants' words were used directly in the interpretation and construction of themes was used.
In the theme 'Locked in or locked away' caregivers worried about continuing care at home, due to limited freedom and worries of hiring help during a pandemic. Some expressed worries about visitation rights and grief of not being present with a loved one if they would reside in a care home. The theme 'Nothing left to give' suggested that COVID-19 exasperated caregivers' loneliness, social isolation and increased responsibilities and challenges with other roles. Bitterness, resentment and anger were felt towards lack of social support and workload. Theme 'Celebrating a virtual way of life' described how caregivers used online forums when other support services were disrupted.
We discuss the role of informal caregiver that was described as all-encompassing during COVID-19. We highlight the importance of advanced planning for care home transitions and the use of online forums as a form of support. We suggest further exploration into informal caregivers' role balancing.
COVID-19 seemed to affect informal caregivers negatively, but they reframed their situations and sought online support. With COVID-19-related restrictions and increased workload, COVID-19 added an all-or-nothing aspect to care home transition decisions.
COVID-19 给护理人员带来了压力，扰乱了卫生服务，并在 COVID-19 期间增加了健康问题。有报道称，在大流行期间，非正式护理人员的工作量增加，而支持服务有限。
本研究旨在通过在线讨论论坛探讨非正式护理人员在 COVID-19 期间的幸福感。
采用具有理论灵活性、有机归纳编码过程和主题发展的反思性主题分析，对在线讨论论坛进行分析。该方法强调主题审查，共进行了两次审查，以鼓励对数据进行反思。该项目是针对一个新的主题进行的，这是一个新的研究兴趣领域。语义编码，即直接使用参与者的话语来解释和构建主题，也被用于该项目。
在“锁定或隔离”的主题中，护理人员担心由于在大流行期间限制自由以及担心聘请帮助，导致无法在家中继续护理。一些人表达了对探视权的担忧，以及如果亲人住在养老院，他们将无法在场的悲伤之情。“一无所有”的主题表明，COVID-19 加剧了护理人员的孤独感、社会隔离以及增加了其他角色的责任和挑战。他们对缺乏社会支持和工作量感到痛苦、怨恨和愤怒。“庆祝虚拟生活方式”的主题描述了护理人员在其他支持服务中断时如何使用在线论坛。
我们讨论了非正式护理人员在 COVID-19 期间所扮演的角色，即全面照顾者。我们强调了为养老院过渡做好提前计划以及使用在线论坛作为支持形式的重要性。我们建议进一步探索非正式护理人员的角色平衡。
COVID-19 似乎对非正式护理人员产生了负面影响，但他们重新调整了自己的情况并寻求在线支持。随着 COVID-19 相关限制和工作量的增加，COVID-19 使养老院过渡决策变得非此即彼。
