Coping strategies and social support-seeking behaviour among Chinese caring for older people with dementia

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11201978
AutoresAlma Au (0000-0002-6338-7842, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, autor de correspondencia), Steven M Shardlow, Steven Shardlow (0000-0002-0288-2305, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Yue Teng (0000-0003-0410-6120, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), TERESA TSIEN (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), CHARLES CHAN, Kevin Chan (0000-0002-0688-0606, Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Año2013
Volumen33
Número8
Páginas1422-1441
Fecha de publicación2013-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x12000724
OpenAlexW2121433748
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas21
Referencias citadas43

The study reviewed coping and help-seeking behaviour among Hong Kong Chinese family care-givers of older people diagnosed with dementia. A convenience sample of those caring for family members with dementia (N=11) was recruited in Hong Kong. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using NVivo. The study found evidence of distinct Chinese coping strategies that focused upon internal self-regulation, forbearance and family obligations. In terms of help-seeking behaviour, these care-givers expressed great concern about bothering their family members. When there is a desperate need for help, they turn to community services. Results are discussed in the context of both traditional Chinese cultural values as well as the modern transformations of the Chinese society. In particular, Eastern philosophical teachings tend to focus on changing personal inner perception and thoughts rather than attempting to change the environment. Although family obligations have been traditionally upheld, many modern Chinese societies are undergoing social and demographic changes, resulting in marked decline in multi-generational households. Our findings can have applications not only for Chinese cities but also may have implications to the West as strong well-established Chinese communities are widespread

China · Chinese culture · Chinese people · Chinese society · Coping (psychology) · Dementia · Disease · Forbearance · Perception · Political science · Clinical Psychology · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology