Eventually, so you’re able to make sure the browse processes and also the conclusions were real depending on the sounds and you will meanings off members by themselves ( Lincoln & Guba, 1985), we operating process eg associate checking (returning to participants or any other trick informants to evaluate that our very own research made sense on it and you will shown its completely new purpose), referential adequacy (it comes back again to the latest books also to experts in the field to be sure the research are consistent with both interview transcripts and you can earlier in the day search), and you can lengthened wedding (remaining in the field and continuing to interview to possess a long time frame to be certain one another sufficient context and you will posts for analytical aim).
Malfunction off Members
A maximum of 17 caregivers took part in the current data. These integrated 5 out-of Montreal, dos from Halifax, and 10 out of Vancouver. Professionals regarding the studies included cuatro adult children (step 3 out-of which identified as heterosexual and you can step 1 since gay), 7 people (5 lesbian, dos gay), 4 family unit members (3 gay, step one lesbian); and you may step 1 sister and you may 1 next-door neighbor (both heterosexual). The latest gender review of the participants match this new expected finding out of more female caregivers (10) than men (7). Age the fresh caregivers varied out-of 33 many years in order to 68 age, with the typical ages of 63 years to your couples and you can 41 decades towards mature children.
The fresh new caregivers regarding the studies advertised various times when you look at the the brand new caregiving character. Particular got simply started caregiving for less than a-year, while anyone else ended up being caregiving for as much as 20 years. New volume out of contact varied off 24 hours a day to 2 products away from contact (phone calls, visits) per week (get a hold of Desk 1).
Self-Character given that an effective Caregiver
Search on the general caregiving books (reflecting new heterosexual caregiving dating) signifies that those individuals family exactly who render delinquent instrumental, real, economic, and you will psychological support so you’re able to earlier friends don’t will identify themselves just like the caregivers. This is also true off spouses who come across caregiving since a great pure expansion of the spousal character, something over off love otherwise obligation otherwise as a result out-of a mutual experience of the new worry receiver. Caregivers in the present studies understood using this facts, getting obvious signs that caregivers regarding gay and lesbian older people provides a comparable feeling of inspiration and term (self-character as an excellent caregiver) because the caregivers away from heterosexual the elderly. Next offer exemplifies this:
I am not very an effective caregiver, it is a romance depending like. I adore my wife, I found myself constantly which have him, we shall always be together. … It’s been 3 decades that individuals was to each other, therefore i manage him. … (Partner, gay)
Taking care of out of taking good care of a gay or lesbian elderly can get include the thought of society identity and connection because the an encouraging basis to have bringing worry. It directed in order to another type of fuel of the gay and lesbian society that may potentially determine new caregiving experience. One to lesbian companion caregiver shown regarding how their unique members of the family on the lesbian society you are going to understand by themselves: “A lot less … caregivers, however, there is rallying when you look at the neighborhood to say we need to put help doing [her].”
This concept out-of neighborhood challenged the idea that earlier gay guys and lesbians had been, because of their sexual orientation, a great deal more remote than simply its heterosexual alternatives. In reality, some research have ideal one to old gay guys and you may lesbians efficiently take part in friendships and you can experience a broad sense of community through the the existence one observe them into their old-age ( Shippy mais aussi al., 2004; Thompson & Richardson, 2002).