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The social consequences of living with and dealing with incontinence--A carers perspective

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  • Brittain, Katherine R.
  • Shaw, Chris

Abstract

Incontinence is a discrediting and stigmatising condition for those who experience it, as it signifies a person who is lacking in self-control. For their carers, the very nature of undertaking 'dirty work' signifies a low status and low paid job. Those health care professionals higher in status and financial reward put distance between themselves and bodywork, especially bodywork that deals with bodily decay. However, little is known or has been highlighted about the social consequences that living with and dealing with incontinence can have on informal carers. In this paper we examine the notion of dirty work and 'unbounded' bodies in the role of informal carers. Through qualitative interviews with carers of stroke survivors the negative social consequences of dealing with incontinence for both the survivor and the carer are explored. We also examine the strategies employed by carers and stroke survivors in order to manage the symptom in an attempt to prove the adult status of the survivor and to protect both the identity of the survivor and the carer. The embarrassment of leakage and the moral danger of odour can lead some carers and survivors to make decisions that can isolate both within the confines of their home. In this sense the very meaning of home is transformed into an isolated and marginalised space.

Suggested Citation

  • Brittain, Katherine R. & Shaw, Chris, 2007. "The social consequences of living with and dealing with incontinence--A carers perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(6), pages 1274-1283, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:65:y:2007:i:6:p:1274-1283
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manderson, Lenore, 2005. "Boundary breaches: the body, sex and sexuality after stoma surgery," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 405-415, July.
    2. Fultz, Nancy H. & Rahrig Jenkins, Kristi & Østbye, Truls & Taylor, Donald Jr. & Kabeto, Mohammed U. & Langa, Kenneth M., 2005. "The impact of own and spouse's urinary incontinence on depressive symptoms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(11), pages 2537-2548, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Josephine ME Gibson & Lois H Thomas & Joanna J Harrison & Caroline L Watkins & the ICONS Project Team and the ICONS Patient, Public and Carer Involvement Groups, 2018. "Stroke survivors’ and carers’ experiences of a systematic voiding programme to treat urinary incontinence after stroke," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(9-10), pages 2041-2051, May.
    2. Hemachandra, Nilmini N. & Rajapaksa, Lalini C. & Manderson, Lenore, 2009. "A "usual occurrence:" Stress incontinence among reproductive aged women in Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 1395-1401, November.
    3. Moore, Helen & Gillespie, Alex, 2014. "The caregiving bind: Concealing the demands of informal care can undermine the caregiving identity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 102-109.

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