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The Processes of Becoming a Caregiver Among Mexican-Origin Women: A Cultural Psychological Perspective

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  • Elizabeth McDermott
  • Carolyn A. Mendez-Luck

Abstract

This article describes thematic findings that emerged from an in-depth analysis of interview data collected from 44 informal caregivers in East Los Angeles, California. The research question addressed in this paper is “How do Mexican-origin women describe becoming oriented to or familiarized with the caregiving role and its associated responsibilities?†A cultural psychological perspective guided the study, which used a thematic analysis approach. Two main themes emerged from the data: (a) caregiving comes from within, and (b) caregiving is cultivated through early and continuous informal socialization. Women viewed caregiving as something that was unique to their character. Some women described having a natural ability or affinity for caregiving, and others described internal motivations for becoming caregivers. Adoption of the caregiver role occurred over time, often over the course of many years. The socialization process was gendered such that modeling behaviors and care expectations were directed at women in the family rather than men. Our findings suggest that the transition into the caregiving role is a complex process that can vary considerably across family and cultural contexts. The nature of caregiving motives and the timing of caregivers’ socialization to the caregiving role have implications for the caregiving experience and caregiver outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth McDermott & Carolyn A. Mendez-Luck, 2018. "The Processes of Becoming a Caregiver Among Mexican-Origin Women: A Cultural Psychological Perspective," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(2), pages 21582440187, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:8:y:2018:i:2:p:2158244018771733
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244018771733
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carolyn A. Mendez-Luck & Katherine P. Anthony, 2016. "Marianismo and Caregiving Role Beliefs Among U.S.-Born and Immigrant Mexican Women," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 71(5), pages 926-935.
    2. Mendez-Luck, Carolyn A. & Kennedy, David P. & Wallace, Steven P., 2009. "Guardians of health: The dimensions of elder caregiving among women in a Mexico City neighborhood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 228-234, January.
    3. Peggye Dilworth-Anderson & Beverly H. Brummett & Paula Goodwin & Sharon Wallace Williams & Redford B. Williams & Ilene C. Siegler, 2005. "Effect of Race on Cultural Justifications for Caregiving," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 60(5), pages 257-262.
    4. Philip Sayegh & Bob G. Knight, 2010. "The Effects of Familism and Cultural Justification on the Mental and Physical Health of Family Caregivers," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(1), pages 3-14.
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