Types of caregiving perceptions of family caregivers of elderly nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea

Abstract

Background

This exploratory study applied Q methodology to identify the types of family caregivers of older adults in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic based on their perceptions of the caregiving role and explore each type’s characteristics.

Methods

Q statements were derived from in-depth interviews and a review of prior research. Q sorting was conducted using 39 P samples on a nine-point scale to determine Q distributions according to the degree of subjective agreeableness for each statement. In-depth interviews were conducted to determine why the subjects rated statements on either extreme.

Results

Four types of family caregivers were identified as a result of an analysis using the PC QUANAL program: caregiving-positive type (type I), caregiving-ambivalent type (type II), nursing home dependent type (type III), and caregiving conflict burnout type (type IV).

Conclusion

The study results can help develop interventions and strategies based on perceptions of caregiving and their associated characteristics to provide psychological support to family members of older adult care home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the following measures are recommended: continuous follow-up research on specific measures facilitating communication between nursing home staff and family caregivers in the event of a pandemic; development of tools for measuring burnout risk among family caregivers and practical interventions for those at high risk; efforts to improve the image of older adult care homes and change the conventional perceptions of caregiving.