TY - JOUR
T1 - Bound in an Imbalanced Relationship
T2 - Family Caregivers and Migrant Live-In Care-Workers of Frail Older Persons in Israel
AU - Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska
AU - Golander, Hava
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023/10
Y1 - 2023/10
N2 - Migrant care-workers (MCWs) are often the main caregivers for frail older persons. We examined the complex relationship between MCWs and primary family caregivers (PFCs) in Israel to better understand how MCWs and PFCs perceive the formal and informal nature of their relationship. Given the high prevalence of two-income families who are unavailable for caregiving, the relationships among MCWs, PFCs, and care-recipients warrants examination, particularly when PFCs serve as managers of care and the care-recipient has dementia. The sample of 116 MCWs and 117 PFCs included 92 MCW–PFC pairs who were part of a larger study on home care for frail older persons. A mixed-methods approach was used involving quantitative (correlations/paired t-tests) and qualitative (grounded theory framework) analyses conducted on data obtained from structured interviews. A significant correlation was found between ratings of the quality of the relationship by MCWs and PFCs, although PFCs rated it significantly more positively than MCWs. MCWs’ ratings of their relationship with the PFCs were significantly correlated with their ratings of the quality of their relationship with the care-recipient. Four main thematic categories emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) communication, (2) dependence, (3) relationship quality, and (4) triad: MCW–PFC–care-recipient. For each theme, we present perspectives of MCWs and PFCs, reflecting either “closeness” or “distance” in their relationship. The findings highlight the complexity of such relationships, with the potential for a meaningful positive bond or mistrust or abuse. The study provides a basis for testing methods for ameliorating the negative experiences described by some participants.
AB - Migrant care-workers (MCWs) are often the main caregivers for frail older persons. We examined the complex relationship between MCWs and primary family caregivers (PFCs) in Israel to better understand how MCWs and PFCs perceive the formal and informal nature of their relationship. Given the high prevalence of two-income families who are unavailable for caregiving, the relationships among MCWs, PFCs, and care-recipients warrants examination, particularly when PFCs serve as managers of care and the care-recipient has dementia. The sample of 116 MCWs and 117 PFCs included 92 MCW–PFC pairs who were part of a larger study on home care for frail older persons. A mixed-methods approach was used involving quantitative (correlations/paired t-tests) and qualitative (grounded theory framework) analyses conducted on data obtained from structured interviews. A significant correlation was found between ratings of the quality of the relationship by MCWs and PFCs, although PFCs rated it significantly more positively than MCWs. MCWs’ ratings of their relationship with the PFCs were significantly correlated with their ratings of the quality of their relationship with the care-recipient. Four main thematic categories emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) communication, (2) dependence, (3) relationship quality, and (4) triad: MCW–PFC–care-recipient. For each theme, we present perspectives of MCWs and PFCs, reflecting either “closeness” or “distance” in their relationship. The findings highlight the complexity of such relationships, with the potential for a meaningful positive bond or mistrust or abuse. The study provides a basis for testing methods for ameliorating the negative experiences described by some participants.
KW - community-dwelling older adults
KW - family caregivers
KW - interdependence
KW - migrant care-workers
KW - mixed methods
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85167426391&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/10497323231186108
DO - 10.1177/10497323231186108
M3 - ???researchoutput.researchoutputtypes.contributiontojournal.article???
C2 - 37555504
AN - SCOPUS:85167426391
SN - 1049-7323
VL - 33
SP - 1116
EP - 1130
JO - Qualitative Health Research
JF - Qualitative Health Research
IS - 12
ER -