In the long run, so you can ensure that the browse process as well as the findings was in fact authentic according to voices and you can significance out-of players themselves ( Lincoln & Guba, 1985), we employed processes like associate examining (time for participants or other secret informants to check on one to our studies made feel on them and you can reflected the modern purpose), referential adequacy (it lovingwomen.org voit tarkistaa täältä comes back again to the fresh new literary works and to experts in the field to ensure the investigation is actually in line with each other interviews transcripts and you can prior search), and you may prolonged engagement (staying in industry and continuing in order to interview to own an extended time frame to make sure both adequate perspective and you will content for analytic intentions).
Description off Participants
A maximum of 17 caregivers participated in the current research. Such included 5 regarding Montreal, 2 out-of Halifax, and ten off Vancouver. Users regarding analysis provided cuatro mature children (step 3 out of which identified as heterosexual and you will 1 since the gay), seven people (5 lesbian, 2 gay), 4 relatives (step 3 gay, 1 lesbian); and you may 1 sis and 1 neighbors (both heterosexual). New gender article on the participants fit this new expected looking for regarding significantly more feminine caregivers (10) than just dudes (7). The age of the latest caregivers ranged regarding 33 ages to help you 68 years, having an average ages of 63 ages to your partners and you can 41 ages on the adult pupils.
The caregivers regarding the analysis reported a variety of menstruation into the brand new caregiving part. Certain had merely been caregiving for less than annually, while others got caregiving for up to 20 years. The fresh new frequency regarding get in touch with varied regarding around the clock to help you dos products from get in touch with (calls, visits) per week (get a hold of Dining table step 1).
Self-Identification while the a beneficial Caregiver
Search throughout the standard caregiving literary works (showing this new heterosexual caregiving matchmaking) shows that men and women family unit members whom give unpaid crucial, real, economic, and emotional support to help you more mature members of the family do not tend to select by themselves while the caregivers. This is especially valid off partners just who see caregiving while the a great pure expansion of their spousal part, things done regarding love otherwise duty or as a result regarding a reciprocal experience of the brand new care and attention recipient. Caregivers in the current studies recognized using this type of facts, taking obvious symptoms you to definitely caregivers of lgbt seniors provides a comparable feeling of desire and you may term (self-identity once the a great caregiver) just like the caregivers off heterosexual older people. Next offer reflects that it:
I am not saying most a beneficial caregiver, it is a relationship centered love. I like my partner, I became constantly with him, we are going to often be to one another. … This has been three decades that we try to each other, thus i maintain him. … (Partner, gay)
One aspect out-of caring for a good gay or lesbian senior will get include the notion of society label and you will connection due to the fact an inspiring grounds to possess providing care. So it directed so you’re able to a separate fuel of one’s gay and lesbian people which could potentially influence the latest caregiving sense. One lesbian spouse caregiver mirrored regarding how her loved ones about lesbian people you are going to perceive themselves: “Significantly less … caregivers, however, there is rallying during the neighborhood to say we need lay assistance doing [her].”
This concept out of community confronted the theory one to more mature gay dudes and lesbians was in fact, because of their sexual positioning, alot more remote than their heterosexual equivalents. In fact, some research has actually advised that more mature gay guys and you may lesbians successfully engage in relationships and you will feel a broad sense of community during the existence you to definitely observe all of them to their retirement ( Shippy ainsi que al., 2004; Thompson & Richardson, 2002).