Dementia Australia, Australia.
School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Australia.
Dementia (London). 2023 Nov;22(8):1862-1885. doi: 10.1177/14713012231201595. Epub 2023 Sep 23.
Few studies have investigated the experience of male carers of people with dementia and fewer specifically examined whether male and female carers of people with dementia differ in their approach to the caring role. As such, this research set-out to investigate whether male carers of people with dementia approach the caring role differently to female carers. Data from 167 survey participants (24 males and 143 females) were analysed using a mixed research methodology. Participants' demographics and scores on standardised burden and coping scales were analysed using linear regression. Participants' written responses to open-ended questions were analysed using thematic analysis anchored in theories of hegemonic masculinity. No significant gender differences were identified in carers' coping strategies or self-reported carer burden. However, qualitative analysis revealed strong thematic gender differences like: gendered barriers to help-seeking; gendered service preference; gendered considerations about residential care; gendered expression of burden; and themes of the absent son and exhausted daughter. This research identified that male carers of people with dementia approach help-seeking differently to female carers, typically focusing on addressing functional tasks and refraining from showing emotions, this despite reporting similar carer burden. Rapport building with male carers should start with conversations around functional issues rather than assessing the emotional impact of the caring role. The findings reinforce the need for more qualitative research into the unmet needs of male carers of people with dementia, to inform the design of male-friendly interventions which could facilitate timely access to services by male carers.
鲜有研究调查男性痴呆症照顾者的体验，更少研究专门探讨痴呆症照顾者中的男性和女性在照顾角色方面是否存在差异。因此，本研究旨在调查男性痴呆症照顾者是否与女性照顾者在照顾角色方面有所不同。采用混合研究方法对 167 名调查参与者（24 名男性和 143 名女性）的数据进行了分析。使用线性回归分析参与者的人口统计学数据和标准化负担与应对量表的得分。参与者对开放式问题的书面回答使用基于霸权男性气质理论的主题分析进行了分析。在照顾者的应对策略或自我报告的照顾者负担方面，没有发现明显的性别差异。然而，定性分析揭示了强烈的主题性别差异，例如：寻求帮助的性别障碍；服务偏好的性别差异；关于居住护理的性别考虑；负担的性别表达；以及缺席的儿子和疲惫的女儿的主题。这项研究表明，男性痴呆症照顾者在寻求帮助方面与女性照顾者不同，他们通常专注于解决功能任务，避免表达情感，尽管报告了类似的照顾者负担。与男性照顾者建立融洽关系应该从围绕功能问题的对话开始，而不是评估照顾角色的情感影响。研究结果强调需要对男性痴呆症照顾者的未满足需求进行更多的定性研究，以设计出适合男性的干预措施，从而促进男性照顾者及时获得服务。
