Abstract
Informal caregivers provide the majority of care for older adults residing in their own homes. Caregivinghood, a new evidence-based concept, describes a time of life when relatives provide care at home. These caregivers need knowledge regarding resources to help them resolve the challenges they encounter. The theoretical framework underpinning this study is Antonovsky’s salutogenic theory of health. This study had two aims: (1) to examine the salutogenic core concepts Generalized and Specific Resistance Resources and Deficits (GRRs/SRRs and GRDs/SRDs) described by Swedish informal caregivers as originating from the environmental and contextual domain of caregivinghood and (2) to discuss how this new knowledge might contribute to the development of health promotion initiatives. This qualitative and theory driven study used inductive and deductive data analysis. Data were gathered through salutogenically guided face-to-face interviews of 32 Swedish informal caregivers. In addition, the study relied on the salutogenic core concepts Specific and Generalized Resistance Resources and Deficits originating from their environment and context. Being in empowering surroundings reflects the presence of usable SRRs/GRRs, whereas Struggling in impeding surroundings reflects the presence of SRDs/GRDs. The results indicate that health-enhancing support has to be individualized (SRRs/SRDs) and generalized (GRRs/GRDs). This study’s salutogenic approach and the methodology enhance the understanding of the mechanisms behind the development of Sense of Coherence. The results contribute both empirically and theoretically to strengthen health promotion research and practice when developing activities and support for caregivers in stressful situations, such as informal caregiving.
Highlights
Demographic trends indicate that the older population is increasing; that is, more and more people are getting older
This paper presents findings from a study exploring two core concepts in the salutogenic theory of health, the Specific and Generalized Resistance Resources (SRRs/GRRs), which promote positive health outcomes, and the Specific and Generalized Resistance Deficits (SRDs/GRDs), which result in negative health outcomes
This study examined the salutogenic core concepts Generalized and Specific Resistance Resources and Deficits identified by Swedish informal caregivers as originating from their environments and contexts
Summary
Demographic trends indicate that the older population is increasing; that is, more and more people are getting older. International policy documents use key concepts such as independence, participation, dignity, care, and self-fulfillment to provide health-promoting contexts for older adults [5,6,7], a group that includes an increasing number of older caregivers and care recipients. Healthy aging may include the possibility for people to age in place—“the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level” [11]. This approach requires adequate supports be provided to older people, both caregivers and care recipients. The salutogenic approach, a resource-oriented view of people and their abilities to run an active life, has been suggested as a fruitful way to advance theory and practice towards positive health development [3,13,14]
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