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Perceptions of Caregiving by Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia in Iran: A Qualitative Study

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Abstract

The concept of caring appraisal, which includes positive and negative aspects of care, has been considered as one of the key concepts in caregivers’ studies and is affected by the knowledge, attitudes, values, beliefs, and social norms in their society. In this respect, the perception of family caregivers’ can be studied from a cultural perspective. The aim of the present study was to explore the self-appraisal concept of caring based on the experience of family caregivers of older adults with dementia in Iran. In this qualitative study, data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Twelve participants (family caregivers of elderly with dementia) were interviewed between January and September 2016. The transcribed texts were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis recommended by Graneheim and Lundman (2004). Six main categories were extrapolated: “Perceived burden,” “Satisfaction with care,” “Personal growth,” “Caregiving gains,” “Philosophy of care” and “Loss and threat.” According to the findings, the family caregivers’ appraisal of their care not only included negative aspects, but also covered a number of positive aspects, which in them the cultural and social factors prevailing in Iranian society played a significant role.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was funded by the Research Center on Aging at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (Tehran, Iran). The authors wish to thank all study participants, especially family caregivers, who collaborated with us in this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 7518759577, Bushehr, Iran

    A. Farhadi

  2. Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, P.O. Box 19834, Tehran, Iran

    F. Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi

  3. Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    M. Rassouli

  4. Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 397, Gonabad, Iran

    L. Sadeghmoghadam

  5. Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 6459, Tehran, Iran

    S. Nazari

  6. Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, P.O. Box 19834, Tehran, Iran

    M. Froughan

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  1. A. Farhadi
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Statement of compliance with standards of research involving humans as subjects. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR, REC1393.187). Principles such as taking informed consent, obtaining written permission to record the interviews, the right to withdraw at any time that the participant was inclined, maintaining anonymity, and observing the secrecy principle were considered throughout the study.

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Farhadi, A., Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi, F., Rassouli, M. et al. Perceptions of Caregiving by Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia in Iran: A Qualitative Study. Adv Gerontol 12, 184–193 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079057022020060

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