This thesis uses qualitative and quantitative methods to identify and explore resilience in informal carers using Windle and Bennett's (2011) ecological framework. First, we1 explore the ecological framework in older informal carers. We reveal that older spousal dementia carers and non-spousal informal carers can achieve resilience. Carers draw on assets and resources from across the resilience framework which interact with each other to facilitate resilience. Next we investigate the mechanisms through which emergent themes facilitate resilience over time. We find that older people display a positivity bias, with some evidence to suggest that this is more pronounced in older carers than older non-carers. We reveal that resilient and non-resilient carers share structurally and functionally similar support characteristics. Non-resilient carers are more likely to resist over-involved family support and resilient carers are more likely to receive support from friends with shared experience. Finally, we find that carers can remain or become resilient over time. Institutionalisation and widowhood provide opportunities to draw on more assets and resources. Together, the findings suggest that informal caregiving is not entirely burdensome; carers can achieve resilience and draw on several assets and resources from across the resilience framework. The findings emphasise the importance of social ecological approaches to resilience. However, resources are not always sufficient to facilitate resilience; practitioners and policy makers should deliver personalised carer services that match need.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:722105 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Donnellan, Warren James |
| Publisher | University of Liverpool |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3007859/ |
Page generated in 0.0018 seconds