An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Ipa) Study On The Motivations And Needs Of Cancer Caregivers Among Indian Families

Abstract

Background: Caregiving, a matter of utmost concern, although has always been a hidden cause. Caregiving is often taken as a role of duty which was always meant to be, especially in the Indian context. While the impact of family caregiving has been proved in numerous other similar studies, many of such works have focussed on probing the external factors similar to socio-economic status, availability to knowledge and resourceful assets, and social-support as the primary determinant of caregiver welfare progress. This study explores the motive and inspiration behind the act of family caregivers providing social support, strength and incentive force. It also critically examines how internal appraisal procedures of such incentives can be both appreciated and valued as well as negatively judged. 

Methods: This study employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to study the motivating force and inspirations and the basic internal appraisal processes of Indian family caregivers who were looking after a female cancer patient in the household scenario. The first participant's interview transcript was repeatedly read, followed by initial coding in a line-by-line fashion to capture aspects of significance, as well as offer possible interpretations of underpinning meaning and judgements. These initial codes were then qualitatively integrated to develop tentative conditional themes before the next candidate's transcripts were formerly started and focussed upon. Once all interviews were collectively examined, the initial codes and themes from the other cases were explored, compared, investigating the density of differences and similarities in the statements of all three participants (N = 3). The sample consisted of participants aged 21 and above who were identified to be the primary caregivers of cancer patients. Data collection was conducted with the family caregivers.

Results: Findings revealed six themes that could either nurture or diminish caregiver wellbeing: 1) Recognition and appreciation of allegiance and loyalty (caregivers were inspired to follow their support duties and presumed roles  in order to avoid remorse later), 2) Weakening and reducing the pain, hurt and agony (caregivers were motivated to relieve their family member’s ache and hardships), 3) Experiencing the bonding and closeness (caregivers were highly motivated to spend quality time together with their loved ones), 4) Maintaining appreciation, regard, respect and acknowledgement (caregivers were motivated to express their gratefulness to their family member by caregiving), 5) Negotiating and traversing the shift and substitution (caregivers were motivated to acclimatize consequently to changes in the illness prognosis) and 6) Adjusting to impermanency and temporality (caregivers were motivated to respond consequently to their family member’s illness trajectory). 

Conclusion: Attaining and strengthening one’s sense of autonomy and self-reliance appears to be the focus of caregiver’s motivating force with positive meanings and consequently nurturing one’s welfare outcomes in the caregiving trajectory. These findings are in accordance and further work and recommendations for healthcare professionals working with family caregivers of palliative care cases.