Life course pathways into intergenerational caregiving

Ricardo Rodrigues (Author), Maša Filipovič Hrast (Author), Selma Kadi (Author), Miriam Hurtado Monarres (Author), Valentina Hlebec (Author)

Abstract

Objectives - We develop a framework for the analysis of pathways into intergenerational caregiving to older people provided by family members using life course concepts of key turning events in life, cumulative processes and linked lives within the family realm. Methods - Using Framework Analysis, we analyse semi-structured qualitative interviews from a sample of dyads (older cared-for adults and their main family carers comprised of children, children-in-law and grandchildren) in Austria (N=24) and Slovenia (N=52). Data was collected in 2019 through purposive sampling, including dyads from a differentiated socio-economic background and gender. Results - The analysis reveals four non-exclusive pathways into caregiving. One pathway is associated with single turning events occurring in family or work trajectories of carers that expanded the possibilities for caregiving later in life. A second pathway referred to cumulative processes that later influenced transitions into caregiving, such as personal biographies marked by weak labour market attachment. Another cumulative pathway, exclusive to caregiving, is characterized by continued and sustained exchanges of support within families that cement reciprocal ties that underpin caregiving at later stages. In the fourth pathway, life trajectories of siblings, but also family relationships and conflicts constrained carers into their role. Discussion - Decisions regarding caregiving within families can be best understood as processes, linked to developments in other trajectories in carers’ lives, as much as to internal family dynamics and relationships. Becoming a carer may be itself the result of intertwined accumulated vulnerabilities, as well as cumulative exchanges within families.

Keywords

No keyword data available

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2022
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
UDC:	364
COBISS:	97104643
ISSN:	1758-5368
Views:	31
Downloads:	17
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	English
Secondary keywords:	Oskrba starostnikov;Negovalci;Družina;Medgeneracijski odnosi;Avstrija;Slovenija;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 1305-1314
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ77
Issue:	ǂno. ǂ7
Chronology:	Jul. 2022
DOI:	10.1093/geronb/gbac024
ID:	16077869